Today marks the 125th anniversary of the dedication of the Statue of Liberty, the iconic New York monument commemorating the lasting friendship between the United States and France. On October 28, 1886, New Yorkers and visitors gathered for a series of dedication events, including a speech by President Grover Cleveland, a fireworks display and the city’s first ticker-tape parade. The statue’s designer, Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, unveiled Lady Liberty’s face with a flourish by pulling a cord that released the French flag covering her head. Find out more about the Statue of Liberty and its dedication below.
