On America's 100th birthday, the people of France built a giant gift! It was one of the largest statues the world had ever seen -- and she weighed as much as 40 elephants! And when she arrived on our shores, she needed a pedestal to hold her up. Joseph Pulitzer campaigned to raise funds to mount this statue. With the help of everyday Americans (including thousands of schoolchildren!) the Statue of Liberty rose to welcome new immigrants for a life of freedom and opportunity!