The Statue of Liberty in New York City is one of America's most enduring signs of freedom and hope. Where did it come from, and why was it created?

The idea was first thought up in 1865 at a dinner run by Professor Edourd de Laboulaye. The group of diners wanted France to give something to the American people to help them celebrate the 200th anniversary in 1876. The sculptor August Bartholdi (1834 - 1904) was enlisted to create the design for the statue.

Bartholdi was a Mason, and some of the symbols he used were the torch and the seven-pointed headdress she wears. Other symbolic items include the broken chains at her feet, representing the chains of tyranny. She holds a book of law, which has "July 4, 1776" carved into it. Her copper sheathing came from Norway.

The statue was ready in 1884, and on July 4, 1884, the statue was officially presented to the US. It was then disassembled and shipped over to Liberty Island, which was to be its new home. It was dedicated there on October 28, 1886. It has been revamped over the years, including an elevator put in in the 70s to allow visitors to ride up into her head.

Statue Statistics:
weight: 450,000 lbs
steps from land to pedestal: 167
steps inside statue: 168
height from food to head: 111 ft, 1 in
length of hand: 16 ft, 5 in

The famous poem of the Statue of Liberty: Give Me your Tired ...