The Making of The Statue of Liberty

Let the Sketching Begin!

Dec 10, 1870

A French sculptor by the name of Frederic A. Bartholdi starts sketching figures of a "Liberty" monument France wants to give the United States in honor of its Centennial in 1876. Source

Bartholdi arrives in New York!

Jun 10, 1871

Bartholdi arrives in New York to tour the country and spread the word of Frances' plan of a Franco-American monument to be placed on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor. He returns to France in 1872, Source

Approval.

Sep 4, 1875

In France the Franco-American Union is created. Bartholdi's model of the "Liberty Enlightening the World" statue is approved! Let the fundrasing begin! Source

The hand and torch arrive!

Aug 14, 1876

The hand and torch are sent to the United States to the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia to be put on display. Source

It's Decided!

Mar 10, 1877

Presidnet Grant signs the bill that designates Bedloe's Island as the home of the "Liberty" statue. Source

It Continues!

Aug 9, 1878

The head and shoulders of the statue are completed and displayed in Paris. Source

Framework.

Jan 28, 1880

Eiffel (the same man who designed the Eiffel Tower) designs the framework to support the statue. Source

Assembly continues...

Jul 12, 1883

The assembly of the statue contunes in Paris and on Bedloe's Island the work begins on the foundation of the pedestal. Source

Finis!

Jun 1, 1884

The statue is completed! Also, the first stones are laid for the pedestal in New York. Source

Formal Unveiling!

Oct 28, 1886

The pedestal is completed! The skeleton and the rest of the statue gets put together. Bartholdi does the formal unveiling at a dedication ceremony on Bedloe's Island. Source