Statue of Liberty at Liberty Island, New York, USA

The Statue of Liberty, officially known as Liberty Enlightening the World, was a gift from the people of France to the United States in 1886 to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. The statue was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel, who later went on to design the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The statue is a symbol of freedom and democracy, and its design was inspired by the Roman goddess Libertas, who represents freedom and liberty. The statue stands at 305 feet tall, including its pedestal, and is made of copper sheets that have turned green over time due to oxidation.

The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, and was originally intended to be a lighthouse to guide ships entering New York Harbor. However, it quickly became a symbol of hope and freedom for immigrants arriving in the United States. The statue's famous inscription, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free," reflects this sentiment.

Over the years, the Statue of Liberty has become one of the most iconic symbols of the United States and is visited by millions of tourists each year. In 1984, the statue was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and underwent a major restoration in the 1980s to repair damage caused by years of exposure to the elements.

Today, the Statue of Liberty remains a powerful symbol of freedom and democracy, welcoming visitors worldwide to the United States.