The Statue of Liberty Is Dedicated in New York Harbor
On October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated in New York Harbor.
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Dedication Day
On October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated in New York Harbor. The ceremony marked the public arrival of a monument assembled through years of work.
Built Across the Atlantic
The statue was constructed in France, dismantled and shipped to New York before reassembly. The pedestal and the metal figure were related but distinct engineering projects.
A City Celebrates
New York held a major parade and a procession of vessels. Poor visibility and rain were part of the actual setting, unlike the perfect sunshine of many later illustrations.
A Name and a Symbol
Liberty Enlightening the World expressed a political ideal. Its meanings expanded through later associations with immigration and the experience of arrival.
What the Date Does Not Mark
October 28 was not the beginning of construction or the first moment every part existed. It marks dedication, a public milestone within a longer international project.
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