The Statue of Liberty, originally named 'The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World,' was conceived in 1865 by French historian Édouard de Laboulaye as a symbol of friendship and to honor the new ideals of democracy and emancipation in the United States.

Frederic Bartholdi, the French sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, may have been inspired by the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. He created blueprints for a toga-draped giant woman that could also function as a lighthouse at the canal entrance.

In 1870, the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi began the initial sketches for the Statue of Liberty, marking the beginning of its creation process.

Bartholdi visits the U.S. and chooses Bedloe’s Island in New York Harbor as the location for the statue. He also meets with American politicians and publishers for support.

In 1872, Bartholdi returns to France after visiting the United States and reports on finding interest in the Statue of Liberty project as well as the perfect site - Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor.

Originally envisioned as a solid copper flame, the torch of the Statue of Liberty underwent several modifications over the years. By 1984, the original torch was replaced with a replica due to damage and alterations. The original torch is now on display in the Inspiration Gallery of the Statue of Liberty Museum.

In 1875, Bartholdi started sculpting the Statue of Liberty, a complex structure made of an inner iron framework and external copper plates.

On February 22nd, 1876, the U.S. Congress officially accepts the Statue of Liberty as a gift from the people of France.

The hand of the Statue of Liberty holding the torch is completed by Bartholdi and sent to the United States. It is exhibited at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia on May 18th.

After being part of the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the torch of the Statue of Liberty is exhibited at Madison Square in New York City, where it remains until 1882.

By 1878, the head and shoulders of the Statue of Liberty were finished and showcased at the Paris Universal Exposition, giving the public a glimpse of the monumental statue in progress.

In 1879, the engineer Eugene Viollet-le-Duc passed away, leading to Bartholdi hiring Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel to continue the construction of the Statue of Liberty, facing challenges related to its structure and assembly.

The Statue of Liberty, representing the Roman goddess of freedom, arrived in New York in multiple pieces as a gift to commemorate American independence.

In the same year the arm of the statue was brought back to France, the United States started fundraising for the construction of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

Poet Emma Lazarus composed the sonnet 'The New Colossus' in 1883 to help raise funds for the construction of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

The Statue of Liberty, also known as 'Liberty Enlightening the World' by the sculptor Bartholdi, was presented in Paris to the United States, represented by the U.S. Ambassador. The Ambassador reported that the ceremony was 'interesting and imposing.'

On July 4th, 1884, hundreds of people gather at the feet of the completed Statue of Liberty in Paris to witness her formal presentation to Levi P. Morton, the U.S. minister to France.

On June 17, 1885, the Statue of Liberty is disassembled in Paris and shipped to the United States aboard the French navy ship the Isère. It arrives in New York Harbor amidst great fanfare and a naval parade, but is stored for a year until the pedestal is ready.

The process of assembling the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom and democracy, which was a gift from France to the United States.

President Grover Cleveland places the Statue and pedestal under the administration of the U.S. Lighthouse Board as maritime structures on October 10th.

The remaining fingers clasping the handle of the torch on the Statue of Liberty are installed on October 15th.

On October 20th, a heavy canvas is dropped over the Statue of Liberty's face in preparation for the inaugural celebration. This action, although obstructing the view for early visitors, is a temporary measure until the Statue's unveiling.

On October 23rd, the construction of the Statue of Liberty is completed. This iconic symbol of freedom and democracy stands as a beacon of hope and welcome to immigrants arriving in the United States.

The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York on October 28, 1886.

The Statue of Liberty was unveiled on October 28, 1886, as a symbol of freedom and democracy. It was a gift from France to the United States.

The fireworks display and illumination of the Statue of Liberty, which was cancelled on October 28 due to bad weather, finally takes place on November 1st.

Double spiral cast-iron stairs are added to the interior of the Statue of Liberty in 1888.

Control of the Statue of Liberty is transferred from the Lighthouse Board to the U.S. War Department in 1901.

In 1903, the poem 'The New Colossus' by Emma Lazarus was inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty, adding a powerful message of welcome to immigrants.

In 1907, the first elevator was installed inside the Statue of Liberty for visitors.

During WWI, German spies set off an explosion on Black Tom Island in Jersey City, damaging the Statue of Liberty's right arm and torch. The statue had to be closed for ten days, and the torch balcony has remained closed for public safety reasons.

The Statue of Liberty is illuminated for the first time.

In 1924, the Statue of Liberty was officially declared a national monument, signifying its importance and historical significance. This designation marked a pivotal moment in the recognition of the statue as a symbol of freedom and democracy.

The Statue is designated a National Monument by President Calvin Coolidge by authority of the Antiquities Act.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt presides over the celebration of the Statue's 50th anniversary on Bedloe's Island.

The War Department relinquishes control of the remainder of Bedloe's Island. National Park Service begins development of a master plan for the island to complement the Statue of Liberty.

The Master Plan for Liberty Island is completed and implementation begins.

In 1952, plans were initiated for the construction of the new American Museum of Immigration, which was intended to be built inside the base of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

In 1956, Bedloe’s Island was renamed Liberty Island by a joint resolution in Congress.

In 1962, the construction of the American Museum of Immigration, located inside the base of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, commenced.

President Johnson signs a Presidential Proclamation, adding Ellis Island to the National Park Service, under the administration of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.

On October 3rd, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 at Liberty Island. The act abolished the national origins quota system and emphasized admission based on skills and relationships.

The group, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, occupy the Statue of Liberty for three days to protest the Vietnam War.

President Richard Nixon opens the American Museum of Immigration.

The Statue of Liberty is designated as a New York City landmark, recognizing its architectural and historical importance within the city. A tablet honoring Emma Lazarus is also placed next to her famous sonnet.

Puerto Rican nationalists drape the Puerto Rican flag across the Statue's forehead in an illegal demonstration.

A time delayed bomb detonates in the base of the Statue of Liberty. The FBI suspects Croatian Nationalists advocating Croatian independence from Yugoslavia. Although no one is injured, the National Park Service increases security measures.

In 1982, it was announced that the Statue of Liberty was in need of restoration. Lee Iacocca was appointed head of the foundation overseeing the restoration efforts.

In 1983, the French-American Committee for Restoration of the Statue of Liberty published an Architectural and Engineering Report detailing the condition of the statue and proposing designs for its restoration. This report played a key role in guiding the restoration efforts.

The Statue of Liberty was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

The original torch of the Statue of Liberty was replaced in 1985.

The Statue of Liberty Centennial Celebration took place, commemorating the historic and symbolic significance of this iconic monument.

In 1986, the renovation work on the Statue of Liberty was completed, and the statue reopened on July 4th weekend. The centennial of the statue was officially celebrated with officials from France and the United States.

The Statue of Liberty National Monument re-opens, featuring a new Statue of Liberty Exhibit in the pedestal.

The centennial of the Statue of Liberty is officially celebrated with officials from France and the United States.

On September 11, 2001, the World Trade Center was attacked just as the first ferry of the day was about to depart, leading to the immediate closure of Liberty Island and Ellis Island.

On December 1, 2001, Liberty Island reopened to the public, although access to the pedestal and statue was not permitted at that time.

The inside of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty reopens to the public, allowing visitors to explore this part of the monument.

In 2007, Statue Cruises replaced Circle Line as the official transportation and ticketing operator for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

After being closed since September 2001, the Statue of Liberty's crown reopens to the public on Independence Day, allowing visitors to once again climb to the top.

The Statue of Liberty National Monument commemorates 125 years of 'Liberty Enlightening the World' with special events and celebrations.

The interior of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty closes for renovation following the 125th-anniversary celebrations.

After a year long renovation, the inside of the Statue of Liberty reopens to the public.

Hurricane Sandy causes flooding covering 75% of Liberty Island, leading to major infrastructure damage and the closure of the island for repairs.

Despite ongoing repairs on Liberty Island, the Statue of Liberty and the island reopen to the public on July 4th.

Construction commences on the new Statue of Liberty museum on Liberty Island, providing a new accessible space for visitors.

The brand new Statue of Liberty museum officially opens to the public almost 3 years after construction began in May 2019.

The Statue of Liberty is closed to the public in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, reopening on July 20, 2020.