About this place

The Statue of Liberty, located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, is an iconic symbol of freedom and democracy. Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel, the statue was a gift from France to the United States to commemorate the alliance between the two countries during the American Revolution.

The idea for the statue originated in the 1860s, when Édouard René de Laboulaye, a French political thinker, proposed the idea of a monument to celebrate the centennial of American independence. Bartholdi was commissioned to design the statue, which would be a colossal representation of Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom.

Construction of the statue began in France in 1875, and it was completed in 1884. The statue was disassembled and shipped to the United States, where it was reassembled on Bedloe's Island (now known as Liberty Island) in 1886. It stands at a height of 305 feet (93 meters), including the pedestal.

The statue is made of copper sheets that are supported by an iron framework. It depicts a female figure holding a torch in her right hand and a tablet in her left hand, upon which is inscribed the date of American independence, July 4, 1776. The statue is dressed in a flowing robe, and her crown is adorned with seven spikes representing the seven continents.

The Statue of Liberty quickly became a symbol of hope and freedom for immigrants arriving in the United States. It served as a welcoming sight for millions of immigrants who passed through nearby Ellis Island in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In 1984, the Statue of Liberty was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its cultural and historical significance. It remains an enduring symbol of liberty, democracy, and the ideals upon which the United States was founded.

Today, the Statue of Liberty is visited by millions of people each year. Visitors can take a ferry from Battery Park in Manhattan to Liberty Island and explore the statue and its museum, learning about its history and significance. Climbing to the statue's crown offers panoramic views of Manhattan and the surrounding area, providing a memorable experience for all who visit.