The Statue of Liberty, a gift celebrating freedom and the enduring friendship between France and America, became an American landmark on October 28, 1886. Unveiled in New York Harbor, it was the culmination of 20 years of planning, engineering, and sculpting
The colossal statue itself was designed and its sections built in France. The pedestal and base were built in America. The base on which Liberty stands was the largest cement mass ever poured at the time. Half of the cost was donated by wealthy patrons.
Joseph Pulitzer, publisher of the New York World, organized a campaign to raise the balance. American school children donated their pennies, nickels, and dimes. Ordinary working people contributed the rest.