On 28 October 1886, the Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated in New York Harbour, marking one of the most enduring symbols of freedom and democracy in the modern world. The colossal statue, a gift from the people of France to the United States, was presented during a grand ceremony attended by President Grover Cleveland, who praised it as “a gift of friendship and a beacon of liberty.”
A monumental gesture of Franco-American unity
The statue was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, with its internal iron framework engineered by Gustave Eiffel, later famous for the Eiffel Tower. Conceived to commemorate the centennial of American independence, the project took over two decades to complete. The French financed and built the statue, while the Americans provided the pedestal and site on what was then known as Bedloe’s Island.
Symbolism carved in copper
Standing 93 metres tall from the ground to the tip of the torch, the statue depicts Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, holding a torch in one hand and a tablet inscribed with “July 4, 1776” in the other. Her broken shackles at her feet symbolise the abolition of oppression. The copper exterior, originally bright brown, gradually turned green due to natural oxidation, giving the statue its now-iconic patina.
A landmark reborn through generations
Over the years, the Statue of Liberty has become a global emblem of hope, particularly for immigrants arriving through Ellis Island in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Following several restorations, including a major one for its centennial in 1986, it remains one of the most visited monuments in the United States. In 1984, it was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List as “a masterpiece of the human spirit.”
Legacy of enlightenment and promise
Today, the statue continues to serve as a reminder of the shared values of liberty, justice and human dignity. Beyond its physical grandeur, it endures as a moral landmark, echoing the ideals that bind democratic nations across generations.
Newshub Editorial in North America – 28 October 2025
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