The Statue of Liberty, formerly known as “Freedom of the World Picture,” was the creation of French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, a gift from France to America. Its construction took hundreds of workers who work 7 days a week, 10 hours a day, 9 years to complete in 1884. Statue of 350 pieces were packed in 214 crates and shipped from France to New York. The statue was rebuilt in Bedloe Island, now called Liberty Island in New York because it was the port where people get their first view of the New World, which sailed into the port. The statue is a universal symbol of freedom that welcomes all immigrants coming to America.

Located on 12 acres of the island, the Statue of Liberty World of the Enlightenment was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the American people and a symbol of universal freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.

In transit, the Statue was reduced to 350 individual pieces and packed in 214 boxes. The Statue was re-assembled in its new pedestal in four months. On October 28, 1886, dedication of the Statue of Liberty took place in front of thousands of spectators. It was a centennial gift ten years late. “The history of the Statue of Liberty and the island has been one of change. The statue was placed on a granite pedestal inside the courtyard of the star-shaped walls of Fort Wood (which had ended the War of 1812.)
History

Construction of the statue began in France in 1875, by sculptor Auguste Bartholdi. The last date of completion of each section was in June 1884, and is in Paris until it was dismantled in early 1885 for shipment to the U.S.. Engineering the structure of the assembly was done by Gustave Eiffel. The French frigate “Isere” transported the Statue from France to the United States. In transit the Statue was reduced to 350 pieces and packed in 214 boxes.

There are 354 steps inside the statue and its pedestal. There are 25 viewing windows in the crown. The seven rays of the Freedom of the crown symbolize the seven seas and seven continents worldwide. Freedom is a tablet in her left hand that reads “July 4, 1776″ (in Roman numerals), the Day of Independence of the United States of America.

Symbolism

The classical appearance (Roman Stola, sandals, facial expression) derives from Libertas, the goddess of the ancient Rome freedom from slavery, oppression and tyranny. Her raised right foot is in motion. This symbol of Liberty and freedom is still standing at attention or at the port, is moving because her left foot tramples broken shackles at her feet, in symbolism of the United States wishes to be free of oppression and tyranny. The seven peaks of the crown represent the seven seas and seven continents.

America probably could not have won the freedom of the British during the American Revolution without the help of the French. France provided arms, ships, money and men to the American colonies. Some French people - most notably the Marquis de Lafayette, a close friend of George Washington - even became high officials in the U.S. Army. It is an alliance of respect and friendship that the French will not forget.

Lady Liberty, representative of freedom to the world, shines bright in New York Harbor. Created by the French Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the statue was a gift from France to the United States. Now, visitors can see inside the statue through a glass ceiling, and capture a better image of Lady Liberty through the improvement of lighting and video system surrounding the statue. Once again, visitors can walk to the observation deck to see New York City and its port. With a flashlight and a book in her hands, Lady Liberty has generously welcomed immigrants and visitors for over a century.