Updated July 4, 2024 at 11:45 a.m.
On this day in 1884, a ceremony was held in Paris marking the official unveiling and presentation of the Statue of Liberty to the United States before it was shipped across the Atlantic. The ceremony was known as "Presentation of the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World."
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Why was the Statue of Liberty given to the United States?
The Statue of Liberty was gifted to the United States by the people of France as a symbol of friendship and to commemorate the alliance between the two nations during the American Revolution. It also represented shared values of liberty, democracy, and freedom.
Who designed the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. He collaborated with French engineer Gustave Eiffel, known for his work on the Eiffel Tower, who designed the internal skeletal structure supporting the statue.
What is the significance of the torch in the statue's hand?
The torch held by the Statue of Liberty symbolizes enlightenment. It represents the idea of enlightening the world with the principles of freedom and democracy.