The Statue of Liberty is an iconic symbol of freedom and democracy in the United States, standing tall on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The statue was gifted to the United States by the people of France in 1886, as a symbol of the friendship between the two nations and to celebrate the centennial of American independence.
The statue itself is a beautiful work of art, standing at 305 feet tall, including the pedestal. It is made of copper and weighs over 225 tons. But it is not just the statue itself that makes it so special. The inscription on the pedestal of the statue, known as “The New Colossus,” is just as iconic.
The inscription was written by Emma Lazarus in 1883, as part of a fundraising campaign to raise money for the pedestal of the statue. The sonnet was not originally intended to be a part of the statue itself, but it was added later and has since become an integral part of its history.
The sonnet begins with the famous lines, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.” These words have come to symbolize the welcoming spirit of America, and the idea that anyone can come to the United States and find a better life.
The rest of the sonnet continues in this vein, describing the statue as a beacon of hope and freedom for all. The final lines read, “I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” This imagery of a golden door has become synonymous with the American dream, and the idea that anyone can come to the United States and achieve success.
The inscription on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty is a powerful reminder of the values that America holds dear. It reminds us that we are a nation of immigrants, and that we should always strive to welcome those who come to our shores seeking a better life. The words of Emma Lazarus have become a part of our national identity, and they will continue to inspire generations to come.
What Is Written On The Statue Of Liberty And Who Wrote It?
The Statue of Liberty, located on Liberty Island in New York City, bears an inscription of a poem called “The New Colossus.” The poem was written by Emma Lazarus in 1883 as part of a fundraising effort to build a pedestal for the statue. The poem celebrates the idea of America as a welcoming home for immigrants, with its famous lines “Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” The text of the poem is engraved on a bronze plaque on the pedestal of the statue, along with the date of the statue’s dedication: “October 28, 1886.”
What Does The Inscription On The Statue Of Liberty Mean?
The inscription on the Statue of Liberty, located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, reads: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” These words are from a sonnet titled “The New Colossus” written by Emma Lazarus in 1883.
The sonnet was written to raise money for the pedestal of the statue, which was a gift from France to the United States in 1886. The statue itself was meant to symbolize the friendship between the two countries and their shared values of liberty and democracy. However, the sonnet on the plaque has forever changed the statue’s purpose to also represent a beacon of hope and a symbol of immigration to the United States.
The inscription’s message is one of welome and inclusion to those who come to the United States seeking a better life. It specifically calls out to the “tired, poor, and huddled masses” who may be fleeing poverty, persecution, or other hardships in their home countries. The phrase “tempest-tost” also conveys the idea that these people have endured great struggles and hardships to get to the United States.
In essence, the inscription on the Statue of Liberty represents the United States’ historical commitment to being a place of refuge and opportunity for those in need. It stands as a symbol of hope and freedom for immigrants and refugees, and a reminder of the country’s founding principles of liberty and justice for all.
Conclusion
The inscription on the Statue of Liberty, known as “The New Colossus,” written by Emma Lazarus in 1883, has come to symbolize the welcoming spirit and hope of the United States of America. The powerful words of the sonnet have forever changed the purpose of the statue from a symbol of friendship to a symbol of immigration and hope. The message of the poem, calling for the acceptance of the tired, poor, and homeless, sill resonates today as a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and empathy in our society. The inscription on the statue serves as a timeless reminder of the values that the United States was founded upon and continues to strive towards.
