Which of the following is a significant landmark in New York Harbor?

The Statue of Liberty is a significant landmark in New York Harbor because it serves as a powerful symbol of freedom, democracy, and the welcoming of immigrants to the United States. Gifted by France to the United States in 1886, it stands on Liberty Island and has become an iconic representation of American values and ideals. The statue not only commemorates the friendship between the two nations but also marks the entry point for millions of immigrants arriving by sea, making it a key historical figure in the narrative of the American experience.

Other landmarks listed, while notable in their own right, do not have the same historical and symbolic significance related to the harbor. The Brooklyn Bridge is an engineering marvel that connects Manhattan and Brooklyn but is not situated in the harbor itself. One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, represents resilience and recovery following the September 11 attacks, and the Empire State Building is famous for its height and Art Deco architecture, but neither serves the same role in relation to the harbor and its historical context as the Statue of Liberty.