Postcard US-1822096

Sculptor Frederic-Aguste Bartholdi conceived of the colossal statue as a gift from France to honor the USA's 1876 centennial. Although the project was delayed, the hand and torch were displayed at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, and then moved to New York to help fund-raising efforts before being shipped back to France. On October 28, 1886, the statue was finally unveiled on Bedloe's Island (now Liberty Island) in New York harbor.

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