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Scores of New Yorkers waved tiny flags after taking the oath of US citizenship at the foot of the Statue of Liberty on Friday.

The naturalization ceremony came 125 years after the iconic American symbol welcoming visitors and immigrants was dedicated.

The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, was conceived to symbolize the friendship between the two countries and a shared love of liberty.

President Glover Cleveland dedicated the statue on 28 October 1886.

"The people of France recognize the yearning of all people to be free, when they gave this statue to our country as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy," said Ken Salazar, US Interior Secretary, during Friday's ceremony.

"On its 125th birthday, it still stands as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy to people around the globe."

Salazar added that the US was a "nation of diverse people."

It was that diversity, he said, "what strengthens our country."

The new Americans, 125 immigrants from 46 countries, pledged to renounce foreign power, then posed for photos with their citizenship certificates.

Young Kim, from South Korea, was among those taking the oath on Friday.

"I have been living here for more than seven years. I'm so happy to be here and I'm so honored to be here," she said.

Alva Reyes, from the Dominican Republic, who also took part in the naturalization ceremony, said: "I'm in the military, so it's great to feel completely part of the United States."

The birthday party was to conclude later on Friday with a fireworks display choreographed to patriotic music.

On Saturday, the Statue of Liberty's interior will be closed for renovations for about a year, though Liberty Island will remain open.