Grover Cleveland Dedicates the Statue of Liberty

October 28th, 1886

October 28th, 1886

Grover Cleveland Dedicates the Statue of Liberty
How Long Ago?

138 years, 4 months, 15 days ago

Location

New York, NY, United States

Category

Cultural Traditions

People
  • Grover Cleveland
  • Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi
  • Édouard René de Laboulaye
Links & References
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Grover Cleveland Dedicates the Statue of Liberty

On a festive day, President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France symbolizing freedom and democracy. The grand ceremony took place on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, attended by thousands of people. Cleveland emphasized the statue's significance as a beacon of hope and a welcome to immigrants arriving in America. The statue was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and backed by Édouard René de Laboulaye, celebrating the enduring friendship between France and the United States.

Statue symbolizes freedom and democracy.

Gift from France to the United States.

Ceremony attended by over 200,000 people.

Cleveland's speech emphasized hope for immigrants.

What Happened?

The dedication ceremony of the Statue of Liberty occurred with great fanfare on Liberty Island, formerly known as Bedloe's Island, marking a significant occasion in American history. President Grover Cleveland, who was then in his first term, presided over the event, emphasizing the statue's role as a symbol of freedom and democracy in the United States. The statue had been a gift from the French people, conceived by political thinker Édouard René de Laboulaye and designed by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, to commemorate the centennial of American independence and strengthen Franco-American ties.

The dedication was attended by an estimated 200,000 people, including government officials, military personnel, and members of the public. Cleveland, in his speech, highlighted the statue as a representation of the ideals of liberty and justice, a beacon to those seeking a new life in America, especially immigrants from around the world. The statue, standing at 151 feet tall, was unveiled after a long preparation phase that included the assembly of its intricate copper and iron structure brought over from France.

Moreover, the Statue of Liberty rapidly became an iconic representation of American values and a significant landmark. The event captured the imagination of many and inspired a sense of national pride, grounding the statue's place in American culture as a symbol of hope and opportunity. Cultural celebrations and parades occurred across the nation, reinforcing the statue's fond perception in the American consciousness, while establishing its role in welcoming immigrants to the land of freedom.

Why Does it Matter?

The dedication of the Statue of Liberty is significant as it marked the arrival of a powerful symbol of freedom and democracy at a time when the United States was expanding and welcoming millions of immigrants. The statue's introduction altered America's self-identity and the way it viewed itself on the global stage. It became an enduring symbol of hope for countless individuals seeking a new life in America, making it a central element in America's cultural heritage and collective memory.

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