7 Odd Facts About Lady Liberty

(NEWSER) - Visitors will soon be able to roam the Statue of Liberty’s crown for the first time since 9/11, the New York Post reports. The landmark’s loftiest perch will reopen—when else?—July 4. Ken Salazar announced the move on the Today Show this morning from inside the crown. At first, only 30 people will be allowed in the crown at a time, but after further "rehab" that number will increase. More»

(NEWSER) - The Statue of Liberty's crown may be open again for visitors by July 4th, Reuters reports. The crown has been closed since the 9/11 attacks, but Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says he hopes to have it open, at least to a small groups, by the nation's birthday. Given the lack of exits and its narrow stairwell, the days of allowing hundreds at a time into the statue are likely over. More»

House votes $1M to study reopening to visitors.

(NEWSER) - The House wants Lady Liberty's crown reopened to visitors intrepid enough to make the climb, and for the second year in a row has set aside $1 million for the National Park Service to figure out how to do it. Since 9-11 only the pedestal at her feet has been accessible; officials say the narrow staircase to the top is a fire-hazard and terror risk. More»

Liberty Island staying open during renovation

(NEWSER) - If you want to get inside America's most famous statue, you'll have to do it before Oct. 28—or wait at least a year. The Statue of Liberty will close for a year after the 125th anniversary of its dedication, for a major renovation to improve safety and make the interior more accessible, AP reports. Liberty Island will remain open during the renovation and views of the statue will be largely unobstructed. More»

Beams pull birds away from migratory path

(NEWSER) - This year's 9/11 memorial tribute ended up mesmerizing and trapping some 10,000 birds as they headed south for the winter. The Tribute of Light—beams of light projected where the Twin Towers once stood—was the brightest light in the area on that overcast night and birds relying on starlight to navigate ended up bedazzled and pulled from their path, the Telegraph reports. More»