Definition

Proper noun: * Bedloe's Island: An island in Upper New York Bay, southwest of Manhattan. It is the historical site upon which the Statue of Liberty was erected. The island was officially renamed Liberty Island by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1956.

Usage

• Bedloe's Island is used exclusively as a proper noun to refer to the island's historical identity before 1956.
• It is primarily used in historical, geographical, and legal contexts.

Examples

• The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty's pedestal was laid on Bedloe's Island in 1884.
• For many years after the statue's dedication, it was commonly said to be located on Bedloe's Island.
• The official name Bedloe's Island was used in all federal documents until the mid-20th century.

Advanced Usage

• The transition from the name Bedloe's Island to Liberty Island is often cited in discussions about place names, historical legacy, and national symbolism.
• In precise historical writing, the contemporary name (Bedloe's Island) is used when describing events prior to 1956 to maintain historical accuracy.

Variants and Related Words

• Liberty Island: The current official name of the island, adopted in 1956.
• Statue of Liberty: The monumental sculpture located on the island.

Synonyms

• (Historical synonym) None; it is a unique proper noun.
• (Modern equivalent) Liberty Island.

Notes on Meaning

• The term Bedloe's Island has only one specific meaning: the former name of the island in New York Harbor that is now called Liberty Island. Its usage is entirely historical.

Noun

1. an island in New York Bay to the southwest of Manhattan where the Statue of Liberty stands
   • Congress officially changed the name from Bedloe's Island to Liberty Island in 1956