05/08/1884 Statue of Liberty's cornerstone is laid
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The History of The Statue of Liberty
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THE STATUE OF LIBERTY (Body of Iron Soul of Fire) History Documentary Video
Construction on the 15-foot-deep foundation began in 1883, and the pedestal's cornerstone was laid in 1884. In Hunt's original conception, the pedestal was to have been made of solid granite. Financial concerns again forced him to revise his plans; the final design called for poured concrete walls, up to 20 feet thick, faced with granite blocks.