Conceived as a gift from the French to the United States, the Statue of Liberty came to stand less for international friendship as for freedom. Designed to celebrate the American centennial and France's help during the revolution, the statue was harder to create than originally thought. Indeed, the only completed part by 1876 C.E. was the left forearm and the torch it holds. Finally finished in 1885 C.E., it was shipped to the U.S. in 350 pieces, ready for assembly on the American-built base. The statue stands 46.5 meters high, and is constructed of a steel support, concrete foundation, and a sheathing of copper. Liberty was the first thing that European immigrants saw upon arrival to the shores of the New World, and so became a symbol of their freedom and equality.