The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States in 1886, designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. It stands at the entrance to New York Harbor, welcoming millions of immigrants. Its construction was an engineering achievement using a steel framework designed by Gustave Eiffel. Over time it has become a potent symbol of ideals like liberty, democracy, and opportunity.

1. THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

2. Made in Paris by the French sculptor Bartholdi, in
collaboration with Gustave Eiffel (who was responsible
for the steel framework), this towering monument to
liberty was a gift from France on the centenary of
American independence in 1886. Standing at the
entrance to New York Harbour, it has welcomed
millions of immigrants to the United States ever since.
Its design and construction were recognized at the
time as one of the greatest technical achievements of
the 19th century, and, when finally dedicated a
decade later, it was hailed as a bridge between art
and engineering.
This colossal statue is a masterpiece of the human
spirit. She endures as a highly potent symbol of ideals
such as liberty, peace, human rights, abolition of
slavery, democracy and opportunity.

3. In this photo released by Agence Papyrus the structure of the hand of the
Statue of Liberty, designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, is
seen inside a Paris studio around 1875. (AP Photo/Agence Papyrus)

4. Workmen constructing the Statue of Liberty in Bartholdi's Parisian warehouse
workshop; first model; left hand; and quarter-size head--Winter 1882. Photo
from the Library of Congress.

7. In this photo
released by Agence
Papyrus the Statue of
Liberty designed by
French sculptor
Frederic Auguste
Bartholdi towers over
Paris rooftops in
1884. (AP
Photo/Agence Papyrus)

13. The Statue of Liberty with the scaffolding erected by the Works Progress
Administration to furnish a footing for the coppersmiths who are about to put
a flashing or apron around the bottom of the statue to keep out the storm
water which for years has been seeping down through the masonry of the
pedestal in New York City, 1930. (AP Photo)

15. President Franklin Roosevelt,
speaks on the 50th
anniversary of the erection
of the State of Liberty in
New York, on Oct. 28,
1936. He declared that, "To
the message of Liberty
which America sends to all
the world must be added her
message of peace." (AP
Photo/Preston Stroup)

16. Celebrations for the 55th
anniversary of the Statue
of Liberty are seen, Oct.
28, 1941. A garrison
flag, 20 by 38 feet,
presented by the
Veterans of Foreign
Wars, is draped over the
base of the statue. (AP
Photo)

26. Queen Elizabeth turns
and smiles while Prince
Philip points and
shouts something as
the royal couple pass
the famed Statue of
Liberty on the Army
ferryboat carrying
them from Staten
Island to Manhattan
for their one-day visit
to New York City, on
Oct. 21, 1957. (AP
Photo)

50. Mrs. Nancy Reagan is joined by Kristeen Reft, 9, of Kodiak Island, Alaska,
left, and Laurence Honore of Herdville, France, center, as all three wave from
the crown of the Statue of Liberty during reopening ceremonies on Saturday,
July 5, 1986 in New York. The Statue was closed do the public for a year for
renovation. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan)

65. K & H PPS
Fotos: Photos: from AP, Library of Congress
Music: Andre Rieu/ Nearer my God to Thee