The Inscription on Lady Liberty's Tablet

The tablet held in the Statue of Liberty's left hand reads "July IV MDCCLXXVI" — that's July 4, 1776 in Roman numerals, the date the Declaration of Independence was signed. The tablet itself is made of copper, the same material as the statue's outer shell, and it measures about 23 feet long and 13 feet wide. It was designed by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi to commemorate American independence, not to carry a lengthy message or poem.

Many people expect the tablet to display the famous words from Emma Lazarus's poem "The New Colossus" — the ones about "huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Those words are not on the tablet. They are engraved on a bronze plaque mounted inside the pedestal, on the lower level that visitors can reach. The tablet itself holds only the date.

Key Takeaways

  • The tablet reads "July IV MDCCLXXVI" in Roman numerals, marking July 4, 1776, the date of the Declaration of Independence.
  • The tablet is made of copper and measures approximately 23 feet long by 13 feet wide.
  • Emma Lazarus's poem "The New Colossus," including the famous "huddled masses" lines, is engraved on a bronze plaque inside the pedestal, not on the tablet itself.
  • Bartholdi chose the date as the central symbol because the statue was meant to celebrate American independence and the founding of the nation.

Why Bartholdi Chose the Independence Date

Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the French sculptor who designed the Statue of Liberty, selected July 4, 1776 as the inscription because the entire statue was conceived as a gift celebrating American independence. The tablet was meant to be a symbol of that founding moment, not a space for additional text or poetry. By using Roman numerals, Bartholdi gave the date a classical, timeless quality that matched the statue's neoclassical style.

The statue was a joint project between France and the United States, dedicated in 1886. France gave the statue itself as a gift, while the United States built the pedestal. The date on the tablet served as a permanent reminder of why the two nations had come together — to honor the birth of the American republic.

The Tablet's Physical Details and Placement

The tablet sits in the statue's left hand, held at an angle so it faces slightly outward and downward. It is not a flat plaque but a three-dimensional object with depth and shadow, which makes it visible from a distance even though the statue stands 151 feet tall from base to torch. The copper construction means the tablet has weathered and oxidized over more than 130 years, developing the same green patina that covers the rest of the statue.

The tablet's size — roughly 23 by 13 feet — makes it one of the most prominent objects in the statue's composition. It is proportional to Lady Liberty's hand and arm, which are themselves enormous. A visitor standing at the base of the statue looking up can see the tablet clearly, though reading the Roman numerals requires either binoculars or knowledge of what the inscription says.

How to Read Roman Numerals on the Tablet

Roman numerals follow a specific system: I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1000. When a smaller numeral appears before a larger one, you subtract. The tablet reads "July IV MDCCLXXVI," which breaks down as follows: M (1000) + D (500) + CC (200) + L (50) + XX (20) + V (5) + I (1) = 1776. The "IV" before it represents 4 (5 minus 1).

This notation was common in formal inscriptions during the 18th and 19th centuries, especially for commemorative monuments. Using Roman numerals gave the date a formal, historical weight that Bartholdi wanted to convey. It also created a visual balance with the classical style of the statue itself.

The Difference Between the Tablet and the Pedestal Plaque

Confusion often arises because the Statue of Liberty has two major inscriptions in two different locations. The tablet in Lady Liberty's hand contains only the date. The bronze plaque inside the pedestal, which visitors can see on the lower level, contains the full text of Emma Lazarus's poem "The New Colossus," written in 1883. That poem was added later, not part of Bartholdi's original design.

The poem's opening lines — "Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" — have become synonymous with the Statue of Liberty in American culture. However, these words were not Bartholdi's intention for the statue. Lazarus wrote the poem to raise funds for the pedestal's construction, and her words were later engraved on a plaque and installed inside. The tablet remains the statue's original inscription.

Visiting and Viewing the Tablet

Visitors to Liberty Island can see the tablet from the ground level and from various points on the pedestal and inside the statue. The best views of the tablet come from the pedestal level or from the crown, where you can see the statue's full form and the tablet's placement in Lady Liberty's hand. Photography of the tablet is possible from most vantage points, though the angle and distance affect clarity.

The pedestal interior includes the bronze plaque with Lazarus's poem on the lower level, accessible to all visitors. The tablet itself cannot be touched or examined up close — it is part of the statue's exterior and remains in place as part of the monument's structure. Most visitors learn about the tablet's inscription through plaques and information displays throughout the site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the date in Roman numerals instead of regular numbers?

Roman numerals were standard for formal inscriptions and monuments during the 18th and 19th centuries. Using them gave the date a classical, timeless quality that matched Bartholdi's neoclassical design for the statue. It also reflected the formal, historical significance of the independence date.

Is the poem "The New Colossus" written on the tablet?

No. The tablet contains only the date. Emma Lazarus's poem is engraved on a bronze plaque inside the pedestal, on the lower level that visitors can reach. The poem was added later to raise funds for the pedestal's construction and is not part of Bartholdi's original design.

Can you get close enough to read the tablet clearly?

From ground level, the tablet is visible but small due to distance. The clearest views come from the pedestal level or the crown. Most visitors read the inscription through information displays and plaques throughout Liberty Island rather than reading it directly from the statue.

What does MDCCLXXVI mean?

MDCCLXXVI is 1776 in Roman numerals. M = 1000, D = 500, CC = 200, L = 50, XX = 20, V = 5, I = 1. The "IV" at the beginning represents 4 (July 4). Together, the inscription reads "July 4, 1776."

Who designed the tablet and why?

Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the French sculptor who designed the entire Statue of Liberty, created the tablet as part of his original vision. He chose the Independence Day date because the statue was meant to celebrate American independence and the founding of the United States as a gift from France.