Blinken welcomes mini 'Lady Liberty' to DC

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday took part in the French Embassy's Bastille Day celebrations, witnessing four U.S. World War Two veterans be awarded France's highest honor before seeing the unveiling of a replica of the Statue of Liberty.

"I think it's fair to say that fraternité is the word that best defines the relationship between our people and our ongoing struggle to improve our democracies," Blinken said.

The "little sister" Statue of Liberty is based on the original plaster cast of its big sister on Ellis Island, a gift from France.

The nearly 10-foot high (3-meter) bronze made a nine-day trip across the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month, sailing out aboard a container ship from the French port of Le Havre to Baltimore.

It was transported to Ellis Island for the July 4 celebrations.

The monumental Statue of Liberty in New York harbor, by sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, symbolizes the United States' welcoming to its shores of immigrants seeking refuge and freedom. It also serves as a monument to French-American friendship.

The mini-Lady Liberty will remain in Washington for the next decade.