Lady Liberty's crown to be reopened after nearly eight years

Jul 4, 2009, 12:48 GMT

   Washington - Lady Liberty, who has greeted millions of immigrants to the US as they entered New York Harbour, will fling open her skirts again on Saturday after spending more than seven years in limbo after the 2001 terrorist attacks.

   The re-opening coincides with the celebration of US Independence Day, which marks the adoption of the US declaration of independence from Britain in 1776.

   Access to Liberty Island and the inside of the Statue of Liberty was totally closed after the September 11, 2001 attacks due to security concerns. US national park officials have gradually allowed more access, first to the island and later to the lower storeys of the statue.

   But the climb up through Liberty's robe and into the crown has been totally closed to visitors until its re-opening on Saturday, when a select 280 people will be allowed to climb the 354 stairs - 22 storeys - up the narrow spiral staircase.

   Only 30 people every hour will be admitted for security reasons. Tickets, which were offered online in mid-June, have been sold out until next winter.

   An estimated 12,000 to 14,000 people visit the statue - a gift of the people of France to the US in 1886 - every day.

   Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will be on hand for the reopening, which will include naturalization ceremonies for new US immigrants who are becoming citizens.

   To accommodate public interest in the statue, the park service will be offering an e-tour, and coverage on the social networks Twitter and Flickr.