On October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty, a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, was officially dedicated by President Grover Cleveland. Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel, the statue was a gift to the United States from the people of France.
The Statue of Liberty is an iconic symbol of freedom, democracy, and international friendship. She stands 151 feet tall, with her pedestal adding another 154 feet. Her right hand holds a torch above her head, while her left hand carries a tablet inscribed with the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.
The statue is made of a sheeting of pure copper, hung on a framework of steel with a foundation of concrete. Over the years, the copper has naturally oxidized, giving the statue her distinctive green color. Visitors can climb up to the crown, which offers breathtaking views of New York City and the harbor.
The Statue of Liberty has welcomed millions of immigrants who arrived in America via nearby Ellis Island. The famous sonnet "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus, which contains the lines "Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free," is engraved on a bronze plaque inside the pedestal.
Today, the Statue of Liberty remains a universal symbol of freedom and a welcoming signal to immigrants arriving in the United States. She stands as a testament to the enduring friendship between France and the United States, and the shared values of liberty and democracy.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
