The Statue of Liberty symbolizes freedom, democracy, and the spirit of hope, and is a powerful icon of American ideals and the enduring friendship between the two nations. The statue's official name, “Liberty Enlightening the World,” and its design, with a torch in her right hand and a tablet with the Declaration of Independence in her left, clearly represent the ideals of freedom and democracy.
The statue was a gift from France to the United States to commemorate the centennial of American independence and the shared values of liberty and democracy. The Statue of Liberty's image has been used by people around the world to call for greater equality, an end to injustice, and more enlightened societies. It was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886. Designated as a National Monument in 1924, employees of the National Park Service have been caring for the Statue of Liberty since 1933.
