Charging Bull - Wall Street Bull - Bowling Green Bull - NYC, New York

Charging Bull, Wall Street Bull, Financial District Bull, Bowling Green Bull are all names that have been given to this bronze statue in NYC.

Weighing in at a cool 7100 pounds, this bronze sculpture of a bull was dropped off illegally in front of the New York Stock Exchange on December 15, 1989. The Italian artist, Arturo Di Modica, claims it was his gift to the American people.

Charging Bull stands 11 ft tall and 16 feet long. Its hugeness depicts the aggressive financial optimism of Wall Street and the prosperity of the American people. As and immigrant, Di Modica was penniless when he arrived on the shores of New York but he made his way up to a successful career. He felt forever indebted to the American people for his prosperity. He paid $350,000 out of his own pocket to create the bull.

Unfortunately, the New York Stock Exchange removed the bull from its premises. The people, inspired by its “strength and determination” protested and demanded it be returned. The parks commissioner of New York had it relocated to Broadway close by Bowling Green.

Thousands of tourists flock each day to touch the bull. Due to its popularity, I wasn’t able to get close enough to take a photo of me with the bull. I found it truly inspiring. The grandness of it truly reminds me of the American people and all we have accomplished.

FEARLESS GIRL Statue

I noticed a plaque not far from the bull and researched what it was all about. A statue called “fearless girl” was installed close to the bull but Di Modica did not like this idea so the statue was removed. A plaque of her footprints still remain at the original location. Fearless Girl can now be seen across from the New York Stock Exchange in the Financial District. Fearless Girl was commissioned by artist, Kristen Visbal, to commemorate International Woman’s Day. It portrays female empowerment. The statue was a tribute to businesses to encourage gender diversity at the workplace.