After standing for 36 years at Bowling Green and becoming one of New York City’s most recognizable landmarks, the Charging Bull has at last received a plaque that officially credits its creator. The bronze statue weighs about 7,100 pounds, measures over 11 feet in height, and stretches 16 feet in length. Depicting a bull ready to charge, it represents strength, confidence, and financial hope.

Beyond its symbolism, the bull has long been one of the city’s most visited attractions, drawing millions of tourists every year who pose for photos and touch it for good luck. The work was conceived and executed by the Italian-born sculptor Arturo Di Modica. He created the bull after the 1987 Black Monday stock market crash, hoping to send a message of resilience and optimism during a time of economic uncertainty.

On the night of December 14, 1989, Di Modica loaded the sculpture onto a truck and installed it without authorization in front of the New York Stock Exchange. Authorities removed it the same day, but soon after, the bull found a permanent home in Bowling Green, where it has remained ever since.

For decades, the statue stood without any sign mentioning its origin. Only now has the city decided to officially recognize Di Modica’s authorship with a permanent plaque. The recognition has been welcomed not only by the Italian American community, but also by the Italian Consulate in New York, which sees the gesture as a long overdue tribute to the artist’s vision and determination.

What began as a personal gift to the city has grown into a universal symbol of energy, hope, and determination, inseparable from the identity of New York itself.