The official title of the statue is “Liberty Enlightening the World.”

She is the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom, inspiration and hope. In 1865 Frenchman Édouard de Laboulaye proposed the idea of presenting a monumental gift from the people of France to the people of the United States.

The result is a powerful symbol rising from the skyline of New York City that showcases the proudest ideologies of our country. In many ways, Lady Liberty represents all of us and the hope we have in building a better society through liberty, democracy and independence.

Her torch was added to represent progress, giving the statue a more peaceful appearance rather than invoking violence.