What landmark did France present to the United States in 1886 as a symbol of friendship?

France presented the Statue of Liberty to the United States in 1886 as a symbol of friendship.

The monumental statue, formally titled Liberty Enlightening the World, stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed the figure, while engineer Gustave Eiffel helped develop its internal iron framework. The statue was assembled in the United States after being shipped across the Atlantic in sections.

The dedication ceremony took place on October 28, 1886. France funded the statue, while American supporters raised money for its pedestal. Its tablet bears the date July 4, 1776, referring to the Declaration of Independence.

The Statue of Liberty is often mistakenly described as a gift celebrating the American Revolution alone. It also reflected the long political and cultural relationship between France and the United States, including French support during the Revolutionary War.