Lady Liberty's Crown To Re-Open
 Lady Liberty is seen as a symbol of freedom and democracy |
After years of going without a view from the top deck, visitors to New York will soon be able to visit the crown of the Statue of Liberty, officials say.
US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the crown would re-open on 4 July, Independence Day.
The entire statue was put off limits to the public following the attacks of 11 September 2001 with access to the lower deck and the pedestal re-opened in 2004.
A Lottery system
Mr Salazar, speaking from the inside of the statue during a live television appearance, said access to the crown would initially be limited.
Only 30 visitors, chosen by lottery, would be allowed in each hour. The number would eventually increase, he said.
The National Park Service said it closed the crown of Lady Liberty - over safety concerns.
The number of visitors to the Statue of Liberty is rising again after falling sharply in the aftermath of 9/11 since after all you couldn't visit the Great Lady.
About 3.2 million people visited in 2007, up from 2.5 million in 2006 and I'm sure with the crown re-opening more will come. I know I want to go into the torch!.
Visitors have to undergo strict security screening before being allowed in.
Lady Liberty, a gift from France in 1886 , was one of the first sights seen by millions of immigrants who arrived in New York harbor over the past centuries, hoping to gain entry into America and to freedom.
My mother, who came to the US on the 1st ship leaving France in 1945 to work for the French Embassy in DC, saw her as her ship came into port.
Visit... you don't have to go abroad to have a great vacation.
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