Statue of Liberty crown to reopen July 4

Washington Examiner ^ | 05/08/09 | AP

[theruleshavechanged]

NEW YORK – Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says the crown of the Statue of Liberty will reopen July 4. Salazar, speaking from inside the statue's crown, made the announcement Friday morning on NBC's "Today." The statue was closed to the public after 9/11 because of security concerns. The base, pedestal and lower observation deck have since been reopened.

[theruleshavechanged]

Well, they might not have the 9-11 memorial finished but this is pretty freaking cool. . Now I have a reason to visit New York City. .

[penelopesire]

Perhaps we should have the NY Tea Party on the 4th at the Statue of Liberty!!

[Sacajaweau]

Buzzing the Statue with Obama's plane now makes sense.....Definitely one of his publicity stunts.

It may be that the buzzing was a test run for a July 4th Obama ritual.

[Vaquero]

You idiot Obama! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! damn you all to hell! ...

[2harddrive]

The TORCH! I want to go up in the Torch! When (and who?) was the last person to do THAT?

[Sig Sauer P220]

I went up to the crown in 2000. Pretty tight squeeze on the stairway.

[theruleshavechanged]

Awww, shoot, of COURSE!!! When are they going to open the torch??

[MisterI]

Interesting that NBC’s Today Show has the exclusive with the Interior Secretary announcing the re-opening live from inside the crown. Coming on the heels of the White House professing their love for MSNBC. The other networks should be outraged!

[Never on my watch]

“I went up to the crown in 2000. Pretty tight squeeze on the stairway.”

I went in my youth and the adventure up the stairs was a great part of the fun. I know it will be a much tighter squeeze for me now.

Now a trip to Liberty Island is worth it.

I wish you didn't nee a body cavity search to enter it though. Thanks a lot Islam! :(

[agere_contra]

The TORCH! I want to go up in the Torch! When (and who?) was the last person to do THAT?

Magneto?

[mt tom]

good idea on the tea party . if you live close get it started that would get a lot of a attention i’m going to fly my flag upside down on july 4th

[Buckeye McFrog]

gotta sell that 9-10 mentality...

[BunnySlippers]

Was Obama doing a “commercial” for the opening of the Statue of Liberty and AF-One when they did the low flying over NYC?

[NoRedTape]

GREAT NEWS! I've been wondering when the Statue would be re-opened..........it's taken far too long, but I'm excited that it will be open for this summer's vacationing crowds. While in New York, it is a thrilling and magnificent sightseeing destination, without a doubt. I've been to the "Crown", and look forward to hiking up to the torch! Don't dare miss Ellis Island, either! Check for your family surname on the wall plaques in the visitor's area behind Ellis Island. Incredible!

Info on one of the main Tour Co's is HERE

[edzo4]

well now we know why the AF 1 flew by, but I still want to know who was on it

[af_vet_rr]

I wish you didn't nee a body cavity search to enter it though. Thanks a lot Islam! :(

I really hate what this country has come to post-9/11 - the government has done a good job of playing off of the fears of cowards over most of the last decade, but at least the crown is open to the general public again. My dad went up in it a few years after 9/11 with some other vets and described it as a very moving experience. There are certain groups that were given access to it after 9/11 by the Park Service - military veterans, Make-A-Wish kids, and some others, but it's nice to know that anybody can do it without having to go through a lot of red tape before-hand.