Construction of the statue began in France in 1875 and was completed 11 years later.
The Statue of Liberty National Monument of United States of America celebrated her 100th birthday on October 28, 1986.
Lady Liberty was a gift from the French people to the American people to mark the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by the Americans from the British in 1776.
Sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to design the statue, a joint effort between America and France. It was agreed the Americans would build the pedestal, and the French the statue. The statue would be assembled in the US.
Funds were raised to build the statue and pedestal in America and France through theatrical events, auctions, lotteries and public fees.
The statue was reduced to 350 individual pieces, packed in 214 crates and shipped to France. It took four months to assemble the statue.
On October 28, 1886, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty took place in front of thousands of New Yorkers.
She was a centennial gift ten years late.
Factoid: The statue is 305 feet (93 metres) tall; 354 steps lead from the entrance to the crown.