In this episode of This Week in Wall Street History, Todd M. Schoenberger shares the untold story behind Wall Street’s most recognizable statue — the Charging Bull at Bowling Green. Created by Italian-American sculptor Arturo Di Modica using $360,000 of his own money, the bronze beast was placed without permission outside the NYSE in December 1989 as a Christmas surprise and symbol of resilience after the 1987 crash. When the city removed it, public demand led to its reinstallation at Bowling Green, where it’s become an enduring emblem of financial optimism—and a global tourist draw.

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• Origin Story: The Charging Bull was sculpted by Arturo Di Modica and funded entirely out of pocket (approx. $360,000) as a heroic gift to New Yorkers following the stock market crash of 1987.
• Guerrilla Installation: On the night of December 15, 1989, Di Modica and friends secretly placed the 7,100-lb, 11-ft bronze sculpture beside the NYSE Christmas tree without a permit.
• Public Demand & Relocation: Though authorities impounded the statue, public outcry led Parks Commissioner Henry Stern and City Hall to re-install it at Bowling Green on December 20, 1989, where it remains today.
• Symbolism & Cultural Impact: The Charging Bull now stands as an icon of market optimism, resilience, and American grit. Tourists flock to touch it for good luck; it has even appeared in films and spawned replicas worldwide.
• Artistic Tensions: The later placement of the Fearless Girl statue near the Bull sparked debate about symbolism versus advertising. Di Modica criticized it, calling it a marketing ploy that overshadowed his original message of strength and hope.

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