The Statue of Liberty is an iconic landmark recognized around the world. Representing democracy, American independence, and universal freedom, this famous statue is located on  _____1_____ in New York Harbor, in the United States of America. This _____2_____ statue was a gift from the people of _____3_____ to the citizens of the United States as an emblem of the friendship between the two nations. 

This generous gift was designed by a French sculptor named Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi who replicated Libertas, who is a robed  _____4_____. Since she was named after the goddess, her full given name is “Liberty Enlightening the World.” With her right hand, she holds a  _____5_____ high above her head, which symbolizes lighting the way to freedom and showing the path to liberty. In her left hand, she holds a tablet with an inscription in Roman numerals. The engraving is July 4, 1776, which is the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. On her crown are seven spikes that were designed to resemble rays that represent the seven continents and seven seas of the world. Each ray is an incredible nine feet long and weighs 150 pounds. At her feet lies a broken shackle and chain as she walks forward, representing the abolishment of slavery and the end to oppression. 

Completed in France in July 1884, the statue was put on the French  ____6____ “Isere,” which is a type of warship that is known for its speed and maneuverability.  After a long time at sea, the Statue of Liberty arrived in the New York Harbor on June 17, 1885. Weighing in at 225 tons (450,000 pounds!), it was divided into _____7_____ pieces and packed into 214 crates to provide safe transport. Once the statue arrived in America, it took a construction crew who were mostly new immigrants to the country _____8_____ to re-assemble all the parts. Once assembled, the statue rose 151 feet into the air. However, once the statue was placed upon the pedestal and foundation that supports it, the full height is measured at 305 feet, which is equivalent to a 22-story building. Another fascinating aspect of the Statue of Liberty is the size of her feet. At 25 feet long, if she wore shoes, she would need a U.S. woman’s size 879.

The Statue of Liberty was dedicated to the United States on October 28, 1886, with New York’s first ticker-tape parade. President ____9____, oversaw the dedication with thousands of spectators in attendance.  Before leaving for America, an official ceremony was held in Paris on _____10_____, where the statue was formally presented to the U.S. ambassador as a commemoration of the friendship between the United States and France. Now recognized as a U.S. national monument, approximately 4.24 million people a year visit the Statue of Liberty, with revenue of over $263 million.

While the statue has undergone extensive renovations over the years, the Statue of Liberty remains a welcoming symbol of freedom and democracy for the millions of immigrants who have traveled to America in search of a new and better life.