1865 - 1886. In 1865, a French political intellectual and anti-slavery activist named Edouard de Laboulaye proposed that a statue representing liberty be built for the United States. This monument would honor the United States' centennial of independence and the friendship with France.

What is the real story behind the Statue of Liberty?

The original model of the statue was inspired by the figure of a female Arab peasant, enlarged to colossal proportions. The full text of the post reads, “The original statue was a black woman given to us by France to pay homage to the slaves that were brought here by force.

Why did the French give us the Statue of Liberty?

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the U.S. in 1885, as a symbol of the Franco-American friendship. Designed by sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, the statue was meant to symbolize the American welcome of immigrants and refugee seekers.