We’re on the second day of our theme week on Vice Presidents! Today we’re talking about Levi Morton, who was the 22nd Vice President from 1889-1893 under President Benjamin Harrison. Before he was V.P., he served as the Ambassador to France. He was very popular there and helped commercial projects between our two countries run smoothly. In Paris on October 24, 1881, Morton had the honor of placing the very first rivet in the construction of the Statue of Liberty, fixing a copper plate to Lady Liberty’s big toe. When the statue was completed, it was presented to Morton at a ceremony on July 4th, 1884. It was then shipped to the U.S. in crates and reassembled on the pedestal that was on what was then Bedloe’s Island. As Vice President, Morton was known for his conflict resolution in the Senate. He was well regarded and willing to serve a second term with Harrison, but Harrison decided to choose a new V.P. candidate for his unsuccessful reelection attempt in 1892. Morton was elected governor of New York in 1894 and served one 2-year term. As governor, he was instrumental in creating Greater New York City, merging New York City with Brooklyn. Morton died on May 16, 1920, his 96th birthday. At the time, he was the longest living vice president of the United States. Learn more in the audio below.