On 28 October 1886, the Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated in New York Harbor, a gift from France to the United States symbolizing friendship and shared democratic ideals. Sculpted by French artist Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the statue was designed with input from engineer Gustave Eiffel, who created an internal iron framework to support its copper exterior. The statue depicts Liberty as a robed woman holding a torch in her right hand and a tablet inscribed with the date of American independence in her left.
The dedication ceremony included speeches by prominent figures and a massive parade through New York City, celebrating the statue’s representation of freedom, hope, and opportunity. Over the years, the Statue of Liberty has welcomed millions of immigrants arriving by sea, becoming an iconic symbol of America as a land of opportunity and diversity. Today, it stands as one of the world’s most recognizable monuments, reflecting ideals of liberty and justice that resonate globally.