Statue of Liberty Celebrates 130th Anniversary of Arrival in NYC

Lady Liberty is celebrating a big anniversary.

On June 17, 1885 -- 130 years ago -- the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York harbor. A gift of friendship from France to commemorate the ideals shared by French and American governments, the statue arrived in New York harbor in more than 300 pieces, according to the National Parks Service.

The copper statue was assembled over the course of several months on what was then called Bedloe’s Island, according to the National Parks Service, before being commemorated on October 28, 1886.

The artist who designed the statue, Auguste Bartholdi, said he chose to put the statue on what is now known as Liberty island because of its location in the busy harbor.

“It is, indeed, the New World, which appears in its majestic expanse, with ardor of its glowing life. Yes, in this very place shall be raised the Statue of Liberty,” he wrote.

In the 129 years since its dedication the statue has been dedicated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a National Monument and a New York City landmark. It’s visited by millions of people worldwide every year and is one of the most iconic and symbolic sites in the nation.

It was closed for more than a year after being damaged by Sandy in 2012, but has since reopened.

Google commemorated the anniversary Wednesday by replacing its logo with a doodle of the statue arriving in the harbor.

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