This incredible 19th-century behind-the-scenes photo depicts the construction of the Statue of Liberty, a beacon of freedom and acceptance, and the landmark many immigrants viewed upon first entering New York harbor.
Officially known as Liberty Enlightening the World, the statue's designer, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi; structural engineer, Alexandre Gustave Eiffel; and many craftsmen began work on the project in Paris in 1876.
In May of that same year, the completed arm and torch were taken to the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, creating a buzz of excitement for the eventual receipt of the gift.
Once completed in 1884, the statue was disassembled and shipped to the U.S., where it was reassembled by a construction crew that included many immigrants.