Statue of Liberty, the 151-foot tall statue on Liberty Island (Bedloe's Island) in New York Harbor, New York City, turned 130 years old on Friday, October 28. The statue, which has become a symbol of the nation, was dedicated on Liberty Island in 1886.
The statue was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, inspired by French law professor Édouard René Lefèbvre de Laboulaye and built by designer and builder Gustave Eiffel. The statue was a gift to the United States from France.
Rose petals dropped by helicopters fall around the Statue of Liberty in New York June 6, 2014. The event was organised by the organisation "The French Will Never Forget" to mark the 70th anniversary of World War Two's D-Day landings.Reuters
The Statue of Liberty is officially named Liberty Enlightening the World, but for several, it is known as Lady Liberty or The Lady. It took years for the completion of the statue. The statue was finally completed in France in 1884, but there was no money to construct a pedestal for the statue in New York.
The pedestal, designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt, was completed in 1886 after more than 100,000 people contributed approximately $275,000 through fundraising events in America.
The statue is a monumental gift from France, but it also acts as a symbol of welcome to the several immigrants who arrive through Ellis Island. For millions of immigrants coming from different parts of the world, this Statue of Liberty has become their first glimpse of the US.
Check out The Statue of Liberty in photos:
The Statue of Liberty in New York harbor is seen in this photograph taken May 20, 2009.Reuters
The Statue of Liberty is seen on the 130th anniversary of the dedication in New York Harbor, in New York City, U.S., October 28, 2016.Reuters
The Tribute in Light is illuminated next to the Statue of Liberty (C) and One World Trade Center (L) during events marking the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York September 11, 2015.Reuters
The Statue of Liberty is seen in New York October 27, 2012. The statue was closed for a year-long project that was the second phase of planned work to improve the visitor's experience and safety while touring the interior of the monument.Reuters
The "Tribute in Light" is illuminated next to the Statue of Liberty (C) and One World Trade Center (L) during events marking the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, in Bayonne, New Jersey, September 11, 2014.Reuters
A passenger ferry leaves the The Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island seen from this aerial view over New York Harbor on August 31, 2012.Reuters
Fireworks go off in New York Harbor to celebrate the 125th birthday of the Statue of Liberty October 28, 2011.Reuters
An U.S. flag waves in the wind on a boat near the Statue of Liberty in New York August 31, 2011.Reuters
The Statue of Liberty is seen during sunset in New York December 20, 2006.Reuters
