<P> The Statue of Freedom, also known as Armed Freedom or simply Freedom, is a bronze statue designed by Thomas Crawford (1814--1857) that, since 1863, has crowned the dome of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Originally named Freedom Triumphant in War and Peace, official U.S. government publications now state that the statue "is officially known as the Statue of Freedom". The statue depicts a female figure wearing a military helmet and holding a sheathed sword in her right hand and a laurel wreath and shield in her left . </P> <P> The Statue of Freedom is a colossal bronze standing figure 19 ⁄ feet (5.9 m) tall and weighing approximately 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg). Her crest peaks at 288 feet (88 m) above the east front plaza of the U.S. Capitol . She is a female, allegorical figure whose right hand holds the hilt of a sheathed sword, while a laurel wreath of victory and the Shield of the United States are clasped in her left hand . Her chiton is secured by a brooch inscribed "U.S." and is partially covered by a heavy, Native American--style fringed blanket thrown over her left shoulder . She faces east towards the main entrance of the building and the rising Sun . She wears a military helmet adorned with stars and an eagle's head which is itself crowned by an umbrella - like crest of feathers . Although not actually called "Columbia", she shares many of her iconic characteristics . Freedom stands atop a cast - iron globe encircled with one of the national mottoes, E pluribus unum . The lower part of the base is decorated with fasces and wreaths . Ten bronze points tipped with platinum are attached to her headdress, shoulders, and shield for protection from lightning . </P>

What is on top of the us capitol