HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – June 17, 1885 was the day that the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor.
The statue was a gift from France, but it still required assembly. It arrived in 350 copper and iron pieces packed into 214 crates. It wasn’t until the following year that the statue would be dedicated in a ceremony presided by U.S. President Grover Cleveland.
It’s purpose was to commemorate the American Revolution, the abolition of slavery and a century of friendship between France and the U.S. The statue became known all around the world as a symbol of freedom and democracy.
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