December 13, 2013 (Friday)
We are a nation of immigrants.
A plaque hangs inside the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. On it is printed the text of a poem by Emma Lazarus, entitled, “The New Colossus.” Here’s what it says:
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand that
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “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!”
Part of it was later set to music by Irving Berlin. Hear it here.