What’s Inscribed on the Statue of Liberty’s Base? “July 4, 1776”

The only text on the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal is the date “JULY IV MDCCLXXVI” (July 4, 1776) in Roman numerals. It commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, symbolizing the ideals of liberty and democracy the statue represents.

The famous sonnet “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus (“Give me your tired, your poor…”) is displayed on a bronze plaque inside the pedestal, not on the exterior base.