This Day in History: br Statue of Liberty Arrives br in New York Harbor June 17, 1885 The gift from France was br a commemoration of br the American Revolution. Designed by French br sculptor Frederic-Auguste br Bartholdi and Gustave Eiffel, the Statue of Liberty br was shipped across the br Atlantic in 350 pieces. It took almost ten years — br at a cost of more than br $5.5 million in today's money — br for the French to complete. "Liberty Enlightening br the World" was officially br dedicated on October 28, 1886. One of the country's most br famous landmarks, Lady Liberty br has become synonymous with br America as "the land of opportunity.