View From the Crown
Statue of Liberty's crown to reopen for visitors
By Laura Leigh Davidson May 28 , 2009
Statue of Liberty's crown to reopen for visitors
By Laura Leigh Davidson May 28 , 2009
There will be more than fireworks and festivals to celebrate Independence Day this year. On July 4, the crown of the Statue of Liberty will once again be open to visitors.The entire statue was closed to the public after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the United States.
In 2004, the base, pedestal, and lower observation deck were reopened to visitors.But the Department of the Interior, which oversees U.S. national parks and landmarks, decided to keep Lady Liberty's crown closed. Officials were mainly concerned about the safety of the narrow 168-step spiral staircase that leads to the top of the statue.Thanks to a number of recent improvements funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar says the crown can be reopened.
"On July 4th, we are giving America a special gift," Salazar said earlier this month. "We are once again inviting the public to celebrate our great nation and the hope and opportunity it symbolizes by climbing to Lady Liberty's crown for a unique view of New York Harbor, where . . . millions of American families first saw the new world."
There are some restrictions for crown visitors. Only 10 people can occupy the crown at one time. Park rangers must escort visitors up the spiral staircase to the top of the statue.
"It's exciting to bring people up here and let them [see] New York City," Statue of Liberty ranger Bill Maurer told KABC News.The Statue of Liberty's real name is Liberty Enlightening the World.
The people of France gave the huge copper statue to the people of the U.S. as a memorial to American independence and as a symbol of friendship.The female figure stands for freedom, or independence. The tablet in her left hand—with the date July 4, 1776—represents the Declaration of Independence. The right hand holds the Torch (or Light) of Freedom.
The broken chain near the feet symbolizes the victory of liberty over tyranny.
Now lets start our essay with a thesis statement
What does the Statue of Liberty stand for?
What happened to close the view from the crown?
The Statue of Liberty is important in many ways. The Statue of Liberty stand for the people of America, and new people of America.
ReplyDeleteThey closed the view from the crown because the steps broke.
By Jessie
The statue of liberty stands for greeting people that come in from different places to new york.And it is big because New York City is the second biggest city in the world. And the statue is not green it is really blue.
ReplyDeleteYou can see the water in the back of the statue of liberty.And if you are afraid of hites I do not think you should go up to the statues crown.And if you are high enough you can touch the clouds.
By Dylan.J
The Statue of Liberty is important in many ways. The Statue of Liberty stands for freedom. The French gave the Statue of Liberty to the Americans as a gift of friendship. It is almost like they gave the Americans a friendship bracelet except the statue is not a bracelet. The French is very nice to give a gift to the Americans. My mom said that she might take me to Manhattan to see the statue. Now I know that the Statue of Liberty is actually copper and is greenish because of the rust on it. I can not wait until I go to Manhattan.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that happened to close the crown is because of the 2001 terror attacks. Good thing the crown is reopening for visitors. There will have to be 10 visitors at a time to be on top. Those visitors will get tired because of the spiral staircases. This is why the Statue of Liberty is important.
By Ginny L.