The first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty was an emotional experience that immigrants approaching New York Harbor will remember for life. On the base of the Statue of Liberty are engraved the words of Emma Lazarus' poem: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi designed the statue. It was a monument to the freedom that is lacking in his own country, France. Bartholdi said: “I will try to glorify the Republic and Liberty there, in the hope of one day finding them here. » Bartholdi used his own mother as a model for the statue and devoted 21 years of his life to creating the monument. Gustave Eiffel, who later designed the Eiffel Tower, designed the frame. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the French to commemorate the American Revolution. President Grover Cleveland made the statue public on October 28, 1886. Previously, the statue was a fixture in Paris before being brought to Bedloe's Island, now known as Liberty Island. In 1986, the statue underwent extensive restorations at a cost of $69.8 million. A new gold torch has been added to replace the corroded original (the original is on display in the main hall). The torch was covered in 24-carat gold leaf. The Statue of Liberty is recognized as a symbol of freedom throughout the world. When immigrants from southern Italy arrived in New York, they found themselves in “dumbbell” apartments. These apartments were so close together that sunlight never reached the lower windows or backyards. In the late 1800s, more than 40,000 people were crammed into this small 17-block area. Diseases, like tuberculosis, were part of everyday life. Despite these difficulties, the residents of Little Italy have built a vibrant and colorful community with the sights, sounds and flavors of their homeland. The Italian population of New York's "Little Italy" fell to less than 5,000. Chinatown has grown and replaced many of the original “Little Italy” neighborhoods. The Feast of San Gennaro (Fiesta di San Gennaro) is the neighborhood's most exciting annual event, beginning on September 19 and continuing for nine days. During this celebration, Mulberry Street is renamed Via San Gennaro and the shrines and relics of this saint parade through the streets. Crowds enjoy Italian dishes of all kinds, as well as other ethnic dishes, and there is lots of singing and dancing..