US Features

In Pictures: 'Statue of Liberty's Crown Reopened'

By James Wray Jul 4, 2009, 18:40 GMT

A visitor waves from the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York, New York, USA, on 4 July 2009. The statue's crown was reopened to a limited number of visitors today, the American Independence Day, after being closed for security reasons after September 11, 2001. EPA/JEFF ZELEVANSKY

Tracy Musacchio, 32 (L), takes in the view from the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA, on 04 July 2009. The first visitors were allowed into the Statue of Liberty's crown Saturday in nearly eight years after it was closed to the public after the Sept. 11 2001, attacks. The base, pedestal and outdoor observation deck were reopened in 2004, but the crown remained off-limits. EPA/DAVID GOLDMAN / POOL

Downtown Manhattan is seen in the background from the view from the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA, on 04 July 2009. The first visitors were allowed into the Statue of Liberty's crown Saturday in nearly eight years after it was closed to the public after the Sept. 11 2001, attacks. The base, pedestal and outdoor observation deck were reopened in 2004, but the crown remained off-limits. EPA/DAVID GOLDMAN / POOL

Aleyna Bartnick, 8 (R), of Merrick, N.Y., looks up toward the torch while visiting the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA, on 04 July 2009. The first visitors were allowed into the Statue of Liberty's crown Saturday in nearly eight years after it was closed to the public after the Sept. 11 2001, attacks. The base, pedestal and outdoor observation deck were reopened in 2004, but the crown remained off-limits. EPA/DAVID GOLDMAN / POOL

Linda Domsky, 65, of New York, takes in the view from the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA, on 04 July 2009. The first visitors were allowed into the Statue of Liberty's crown Saturday in nearly eight years after it was closed to the public after the Sept. 11 2001, attacks. The base, pedestal and outdoor observation deck were reopened in 2004, but the crown remained off-limits. EPA/DAVID GOLDMAN / POOL

Erica Breder, 25 (C-R), looks over at Aaron Weisinger, 26 (C-L), both of Walnut Creek, California, after accepting his surprise wedding proposal while visiting the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA, on 04 July 2009. The first visitors were allowed into the Statue of Liberty's crown Saturday in nearly eight years after it was closed to the public after the Sept. 11 2001, attacks. The base, pedestal and outdoor observation deck were reopened in 2004, but the crown remained off-limits. EPA/DAVID GOLDMAN / POOL

Aaron Weisinger, 26, surprises his girlfriend Erica Breder, 25, both of Walnut Creek, Calif., with a wedding proposal while visiting the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA, on 04 July 2009. Looking on at left is Luke Rankin of Yakima, Washington. The first visitors were allowed into the Statue of Liberty's crown Saturday in nearly eight years after it was closed to the public after the Sept. 11 2001, attacks. The base, pedestal and outdoor observation deck were reopened in 2004, but the crown remained off-limits. EPA/DAVID GOLDMAN / POOL

Visitors take in the view while visiting the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA, on 04 July 2009. The first visitors were allowed into the Statue of Liberty's crown Saturday in nearly eight years after it was closed to the public after the Sept. 11 2001, attacks. The base, pedestal and outdoor observation deck were reopened in 2004, but the crown remained off-limits. EPA/DAVID GOLDMAN / POOL

Kati, 38 (2-R), and Simon Curtis (40), of Manhattan, N.Y., look up at the 186 stairs that lay ahead of them as the first two visitors to climb to the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA, on 04 July 2009. The first visitors were allowed into the Statue of Liberty's crown Saturday in nearly eight years after it was closed to the public after the Sept. 11 2001, attacks. The base, pedestal and outdoor observation deck were reopened in 2004, but the crown remained off-limits. EPA/DAVID GOLDMAN / POOL

Chris Bartnick, 46 (L), hoists his daughter Aleyna, 8, both of Merrick, N.Y., for a better view from the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA, on 04 July 2009. The first visitors were allowed into the Statue of Liberty's crown Saturday in nearly eight years after it was closed to the public after the Sept. 11 2001, attacks. The base, pedestal and outdoor observation deck were reopened in 2004, but the crown remained off-limits. EPA/DAVID GOLDMAN / POOL

Visitors to the Statue of Liberty take in the view from aboard a ferry in New York, New York, USA, on 4 July 2009. The statue's crown was reopened to a limited number of visitors today, the American Independence Day, after being closed for security reasons after September 11, 2001. EPA/JEFF ZELEVANSKY

A view of the Statue of Liberty is seen in front of Lower Manhattan in New York, New York, USA, on 4 July 2009. The statue's crown was reopened to a limited number of visitors today, the American Independence Day, after being closed for security reasons after September 11, 2001. EPA/JEFF ZELEVANSKY

A National Park Service Ranger walks the grounds past the Statue of Liberty in New York, New York, USA, on 04 July 2009. The statue's crown was reopened to a limited number of visitors today, the American Independence Day, after being closed for security reasons after September 11, 2001. EPA/JEFF ZELEVANSKY