The Statue of Liberty is as American as it gets-- right up there with cheeseburgers and apple pie-- but did you know it actually originated in Paris?

That's right, Lady Liberty was cast, built, and assembled in Paris before it was shipped across the Atlantic in 1886.

It was gift to the United States from Fédéric Auguste Bartholdi. Was that an amazing gift or what!?

Check out these vintage photos below of Lady Liberty as it was being built in 1884, two years prior to its arrival in the States. .

[via ViewingNYC]

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[via ViewingNYC]

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[via ViewingNYC]

If you enjoyed this article, check out these Incredible Vintage Photos Melded Together With Contemporary Shots of NYC!

[via ViewingNYC]