Happy 4Th Of July!

[cedarhart]

Statue of Liberty Facts: July 4th Reopening and More John Roach for National Geographic Newshttp://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/07/090702-statue-of-liberty-facts.html July 2, 2009 This Fourth of July visitors will once again be free to visit the Statue of Liberty's crown for the first time since 9/11. The New York City landmark's upper reaches are set to reopen after being closed for safety reasons after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The move follows the reopening of Liberty Island in late 2001 and of the statue in 2004. Officials were concerned that, among other things, the double-helix staircase extending to the Statue of Liberty's neck was too difficult to evacuate, didnt meet fire codes, and frightened visitors. Among the Statue of Liberty's changes since closing: improved, higher handrails on the main staircase; an enhanced the public address system; and starting this Fourth of July, stricter limits on visitors. The National Park Service expects between 10,000 and 15,000 people to visit the 12-acre (5-hectare) Liberty Island on July 4. On any given day, though, only 240, in groups of ten, will be allowed to climb the 354 steps to the crown and gaze out its 25 windows. "When the reservation system opened on June 13, tickets for the fourth, fifth, and sixth [of July] were sold out by 12 noon," just two hours after sales began, said Mindi Rambo, a spokesperson for the National Parks of New York Harbor. (Related: "July 4th: U.S. Independence Celebrated on the Wrong Day?") Statue of Liberty History: Statue of Liberty Remodeled: continued at site

 

[gumby]

Im proud to be an american and god bless the USA and our troops fighting for our freedom