Standing tall on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty has welcomed millions of immigrants and tourists to the United States since its dedication in 1886. The statue, created by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886, was a gift from France to celebrate the centennial of American freedom.

Lady Liberty, including her pedestal, is 305 feet (93 meters) tall, and she holds aloft a plaque bearing the date of America’s Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) and a torch. She is the embodiment of the ideals of progress, freedom, and democracy upon which the United States was built.

From Battery Park in Manhattan, visitors to the Statue of Liberty can board a ferry to Liberty Island. They can learn about the statue’s history and how it was built by visiting the museum housed in the pedestal. Those who have purchased tickets in advance can climb to the statue’s pinnacle and take in a stunning panorama of New York City and the harbor.

Generations of people who have come to the United States in search of a better life have seen the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of freedom and a beacon of hope. It’s a symbol of the United States’ dedication to freedom, democracy, and the common hopes of all people.