07/04/2021
On May 28th, 1950 the Statue of Liberty replica was dedicated on Mackinac Island. This replica was 1 of 200 placed in 39 states around the country. The idea of Boys Scouts of America in Kansas City, Jack Whitaker, Scout Commissioner at the time, called the crusade to “Strengthen the Arm of Liberty”
Emma Lazarus’ original sonnet, written for the original Statue of Liberty.
New Colossus
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
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-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
