On this day, 28th October: The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor - 1886

On October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor. Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and gifted by France to the United States, the statue symbolized friendship between the two nations and became a powerful emblem of freedom and democracy. Lady Liberty’s torch and crown represented enlightenment and hope, especially for immigrants arriving by sea who saw the statue as a welcoming symbol of opportunity and a new beginning in America.

The Statue of Liberty's dedication on October 28, 1886, marked an enduring symbol of freedom and unity between France and the United States. Measuring 305 feet tall, the statue was transported in pieces to New York Harbor, where it was reassembled on Liberty Island. Designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, with its iron framework engineered by Gustave Eiffel, the statue represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty, holding a torch to enlighten the world. The plaque at its base, inscribed with Emma Lazarus’s poem “The New Colossus,” embodies hope and welcome, particularly for arriving immigrants.

The dedication of the Statue of Liberty on October 28, 1886, was a grand event attended by thousands, including then-U.S. President Grover Cleveland. It represented not only friendship between the United States and France but also the values of freedom and human rights. Standing as a welcoming symbol, the statue became especially meaningful for immigrants arriving in America, who viewed it as a beacon of hope. Over time, Lady Liberty came to symbolize the United States’ ideals of democracy, freedom, and opportunity, solidifying its place as a cultural and historical icon.