Emma Lazarus wrote "The New Colossus" in 1883 for the Statue of Liberty's pedestal fund.
On November 2, 1883, Emma Lazarus composed the sonnet "The New Colossus" to aid in fundraising for the Statue of Liberty's pedestal. At a time when America was witnessing waves of immigrants, Lazarus' poignant words served as a powerful beacon of hope and compassion. Her creation of this iconic poem highlighted the disparate experiences of immigrants seeking a better life and affirmed the United States as a sanctuary. The sonnet’s eventual inscription in 1903 on a plaque inside the statue's pedestal helped to redefine the Statue of Liberty’s symbolic meaning, embodying ideals of liberty and welcome.