Today In History: The Statue of Liberty Is Dedicated

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

-- Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus

On October 28th, 1886, "Liberty Enlightening the World" was dedicated on Bedloe's Island (now known as Liberty Island) in New York Harbor. A colossal gift from the people of France who wished to commemorate the French-American alliance during the American Revolutionary War, this 300 foot tall neoclassical copper sculpture of a robed  and crowned women was designed by sculptor-painter Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, with metal framework by civil engineer Gustave Eiffel.  Raising a torch above her head,  and with broken shackles and chains at her feet, "Miss Liberty" is an iconic symbol of freedom, democracy, and the end of slavery. Her crown with seven rays represents the seven continents and seven seas, with intent to spread a hopeful message throughout the world and a welcome invitation to immigrants in search of a better life.

The dedication ceremony drew a million visitors and global press, despite cold, rainy, and foggy weather.  Although the water parade of 300 ships was difficult for many to see, and  fireworks and evening lighting of the statue were postponed, the turn out didn't dampen the fundamental spirit of the event, nor affect widespread admiration of one of our nation's most important symbols and continuing conversations on our founding principles.

At Teachers College, Columbia University, the Imagining Liberty Project revisits historical hope and social change to help reshape the future.  Imagining Liberty: Bringing the Declaration of Independence to Life in Your Classroom, an asynchronous online course, invites us to reimagine the teaching of our founding document,  which reached its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• (1886, Oct 15). Bartholdi Day: The Arrangements for the Unveiling of the Statue of Liberty. Placing the Electric Light -- An Official Visit to Liberty Island -- The Police Arrangements for Preserving Order at the Dedication.  (1886, Oct 15). St.Louis Post - Dispatch (1879-1922) 
• The Statue: The Coming Dedication to New York Harbor.   (1886, Oct 24). Los Angeles Times (1886-1922) 
• Latest Edition Unveiled: Dedication of the Great Statue of Liberty. Frances's Colossal  Gift Stands in All Its Glory. Thousands of Patriotic Citizens Participate in the Grand Demonstration. A Monster Parade on Land and a Brilliant Naval Procession. In Spite of Inclement Weather a Million People Turn Out in Holiday Attire. (1886, Oct 28). St.Louis Post - Dispatch (1879-1922) 
• Reuter's Telegrams: The Statue of Liberty. (1886, Oct 29). The Scotsman (1860-1920) 
• Early Suffrage Protests: Miss Blake Tells of Meeting at Statue of Liberty 29 Years Ago.  (1915, Jul 11). New York Times (1857-1922) 
• Statue of Liberty Is Fifty Years Old: Ceremonies on Wednesday Will Mark Anniversary of 1886 Dedication of French Gift. President Will End Nation_Wide Observance in Honor of Famous Symbol.. (1936, Oct 25). New York Times (1923-) 
• Statue of Liberty 50 Years Old; Dedication to Be Re-Enacted: Ceremony Similar to That of 1886 Will Be Staged Wednesday on Bedloes Island in Honor of Bronze Lady of New York Harbor. (1936, Oct 25). The Washington Post (1923-1954) 
• Slater, J. (2010, Oct 28). A Moment on Time: Oct. 28, 1886 Statue of Liberty Dedicated.. The Globe and Mail (1936-) 
• Notable U.S. Symbols. (2026, Jul 19). The Hartford Courant (2008-) 
• Farago, J. (2026, Aug 01). The Most Iconic American Artwork Is the Hardest to See. New York Times (2008-) 

Tips:

• Blumberg, B. (1985). Celebrating the Immigrant: An Administrative History of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, 1952-1982. Cultural Resource Management Study 10. e-book. ED278589.
• Khan, Y. S. (2010). Enlightening the World : The Creation of the Statue of Liberty (1st edition). Cornell University Press.  e-book.
• Krensky, S., & Rosenblum, R. (1985). Maiden Voyage : The Story of the Statue of Liberty (First edition). Atheneum. Closed Stacks Curr ; F128.64.L6 K74 1985.
• Moreno, B. (2017). The Statue of Liberty. Arcadia Publishing. e-book.
• Rappaport, D., & Tavares, M. (2008). Lady Liberty : A Biography (First edition). Candlewick Press. Curriculum ; F128.64.L6 R36 2008.

Images:

• Liberty Enlightening the World--Inauguration of the Bartholdi Statue, Harbor of New York--Military and Naval Salute, the President's Arrival at Liberty Island. 1886 Oct. 28. Photograph. Library of Congress Digital Collections.
• Poster Image: Photograph of the Statue of Liberty. Canva.
• Color Printing Class of Teachers College, & Robinson Elmer, R. (1916). Statue of Liberty. Student of Arthur Wesley Dow Collection. Postcards Made by the Art Department [1914-1916].  Teachers College Digital Collections.

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