Which iconic statue in New York Harbor was a gift from France?

The iconic statue in New York Harbor that was a gift from France is the Statue of Liberty. Its formal name is Liberty Enlightening the World, and it stands on Liberty Island at the entrance to New York Harbor.

French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed the statue, while engineer Gustave Eiffel helped create its iron framework. The French people funded and built the statue, then shipped it to the United States in pieces. American donors financed the pedestal, making the monument a joint project between the two countries.

The statue was dedicated on October 28, 1886. Its torch, crown, tablet, and broken chain carry symbolic meanings: the tablet bears July 4, 1776, in Roman numerals, while the broken chain represents freedom from oppression. The robed figure is inspired partly by Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty.

The Statue of Liberty is often confused with the Eiffel Tower because both were French projects, but the Eiffel Tower was built in Paris for the 1889 world’s fair. The statue’s copper exterior also acquired its familiar green patina through oxidation.