One of the most recognisable landmarks in New York - and even in America as a whole - the Statue of Liberty has stood on the east coast of the United States for over a century. And though part of the New York experience for millions of tourists every year, many people don't know even a fraction of the statue's fascinating history.

The Statue of Liberty began reaching for the sky with her trademark torch on October 28, 1886. The statue was created in commemoration of a friendship formed between France and America during the American Revolution and has since expanded its meaning to incorporate notions of freedom and democracy on top of the original friendship.

It also had a rocky beginning. French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholi was commissioned to design the statue with the aim of the project being completed by 1876. However, mounting money pressures on both sides of the pond meant that delays of a decade ended up holding the statue back. France was responsible for the actual statue whereas America was in charge of building the pedestal, but both projects were plagued by funding problems.

Each country attempted to deal with raising cash in separate ways. France gathered public money, threw entertainments and established a lottery in order to get money together to build the statue on American shores. In the US, various art exhibitions were held, as well as auctions and beneficial theatrical events, all served to help collected much needed cash. Even famous French and American figures got involved in the drives, including Joseph Pulitzer, still known today for the birth of the esteemed award the Pulitzer Prize.

Eventually, and with the help of engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel - who designed the Eiffel Tower - the statue was built. It took many months to deliver the statue as the voyage from Europe to America was a long one but, in 1885, she arrived. Having been reduced into hundreds of pieces for the trip, it took four months for the statue to be put back together on site but, after years in the making, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty took place before thousands.

10 years late, the Statue of Liberty was clearly worth the wait. It is a majestic sight that one should definitely visit when staying in New York hotels as it is a sight that surely will invoke feelings of pride, freedom and awe.

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