
In 1905, the Statue of Liberty had already stood as a symbol of freedom and democracy for nearly two decades. It was gifted to the United States by the people of France in 1886 as a symbol of the friendship between the two nations and the shared values of liberty and democracy. The statue was already an iconic landmark in New York Harbor, attracting millions of visitors from around the world. It stood at 305 feet tall and weighed 225 tons, and its pedestal was the largest concrete structure ever built at the time.
The statue’s torch was already a symbol of hope and opportunity for millions of immigrants who arrived in America seeking a better life. The statue would continue to serve as a beacon of freedom for generations to come, inspiring people around the world with its message of liberty and equality.