On June 17, 1885, the dismantled Statue of Liberty, a gift of friendship from
the people of France to the people of America, arrives in New York Harbor
after being shipped across the Atlantic Ocean in 350 individual pieces
packed in more than 200 cases. The copper and iron statue, which was reassembled and dedicated the following year in a ceremony presided over
by U.S. President Grover Cleveland, became known around the world as an enduring symbol of freedom and democracy.

Intended to commemorate the American Revolution and a century of
friendship between the U.S. and France, the statue was designed by French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi (who modeled it after his own mother),
with assistance from engineer Gustave Eiffel, who later developed the iconic
tower in Paris bearing his name. The statue was initially scheduled to be
finished by 1876, the 100th anniversary of America’s Declaration of
Independence; however, fundraising efforts, which included auctions, a
lottery and boxing matches, took longer than anticipated, both in Europe
and the U.S., where the statue’s pedestal was to be financed and constructed.

The statue alone cost the French an estimated $250,000 (more than $5.5 million
in today’s money).

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ROSS SIMPSON

Francis Gary Powers’ U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet
Union on this day in 1960. Powers (below) was taken prisoner.

The charred wreckage of U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers’ U-2 spy
plane is shown on display at the Central Armed Forces Museum
in Moscow, April 30, 2010. (AP)

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CARLATA BRADLEY

On this day in 1943, work was completed on the Pentagon and it was dedicated as the world’s largest office building located just outside
Washington, DC, in Arlington, VA. The structure covers 34 acres of
land and has 17 miles of corridors.

The first National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl was played on
this day in 1967. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City
Chiefs of the American Football League. The final score was 35-10.

Even though ticket prices averaged just $12, it was the only Super Bowl that
didn’t sell out. The game aired on two different networks, NBC and CBS and
drew in an audience of more than 61,000 fans. The popularity of the event
continued to grow after the leagues integrated.

Super Bowl I – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The Packers quarterback Bart Starr.

Football great and TV commentator Frank Gifford (second from left).

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CAMILLE BOHANNON

On this day in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in
Washington, DC. It attracts more than 5.6 million visitors each year.

Former Arkansas state employee Paula Jones (left) sued President
Bill Clinton for sexual harassment when he was governor, alleging
he exposed himself to her in a hotel room in 1991. The Jones suit,
which went all the way to the Supreme Court, was ultimately
dismissed by a judge on the grounds Jones could not show
damages. While it was on appeal, President Clinton agreed to      
an out-of-court settlement on this day in 1998. He paid $850,000 
without admitting liability.
 

President Clinton is shown in this video image during his deposition
Jan. 17, 1998 in the Paula Jones case,

Paula Corbin Jones (Paula Rosalee Corbin) turned
52 September 17.

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TIM MAGUIRE

The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor by President Cleveland on this day in 1886. The statue weighs 225 tons and is 152
feet tall. It was originally known as "Liberty Enlightening the World."

William Henry Gates III is 63 years old today.

Business magnate, investor, author, philanthropist, humanitarian, and
principal founder of Microsoft Corporation. During his career at Microsoft,
Gates held the positions of chairman, CEO and chief software architect,
while also being the largest individual shareholder until May 2014. He
stepped down as chairman of Microsoft in February 2014 and assumed
a new post as technology adviser to support the newly appointed CEO
Satya Nadella.

Julia Fiona Roberts is 51 years young today.

Julia Roberts gained fame after starring in Pretty Woman 1990 and went
on to win an Oscar for her leading role in Erin Brockovich in 2000.

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