23 American History Questions Most Americans Get Wrong

10. Who paid for the Statue of Liberty?

Correct: France—with some help from New York
Incorrect: France

France was accountable for the famous statue, but New York City had to wrap up enough money to pay for the gigantic granite base on which the statue sits. In fact, the Big Apple almost didn’t come up with the money in time, and other cities, such as Boston and Philadelphia, both of which had the money at their disposal, tried instead to have the statue erected on their turf.