Lady Liberty's crown reopens to tourists. (ASSOCIATED PRESS / July 4, 2009)
NEW YORK, N.Y. (WPIX) -
The statue of liberty's crown welcomed visitors for the first time in eight years today. The arduous Independence Day journey was filled will feelings of freedom, national pride - and for one couple, romance.
Upon reaching the top, Aaron Weisinger, 26, got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend, Erica Breder.
"To propose in the crown was perfect," said Breder, who happily accepted.
Others took in feelings of patriotism, as they stood at the peak of one of the nation's most famous monuments.
"I feel the Statue of Liberty represents global unity, a sign that our world must unify," said Barbara McLean, 57, of Atlanta. After ascending the 354 steps to the statue's crown, she sang "America the Beautiful," for which she earned a round of applause.
"I think it represents a beacon of hope that, even in difficult times, that dreams can be made," she said.
The statue 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. The crown stayed closed because the narrow, double-helix staircases could not be safely evacuated in an emergency and didn't comply with fire and building codes.
New handrails have since been installed to help with the climb. Only 30 people per hour are allowed up the dark, small staircase. Visitors must be led by park rangers.
Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., pushed for years for the crown to be reopened. He once called the decision to close it off "a partial victory for terrorists." The reopening "represents some personal vindication," he said Saturday.
So far, nearly 14,500 tickets to the crown have been sold through the end of August. Tickets are currently on sale are for visits in the fall and beyond.
Upon reaching the top, Aaron Weisinger, 26, got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend, Erica Breder.
"To propose in the crown was perfect," said Breder, who happily accepted.
Others took in feelings of patriotism, as they stood at the peak of one of the nation's most famous monuments.
"I feel the Statue of Liberty represents global unity, a sign that our world must unify," said Barbara McLean, 57, of Atlanta. After ascending the 354 steps to the statue's crown, she sang "America the Beautiful," for which she earned a round of applause.
"I think it represents a beacon of hope that, even in difficult times, that dreams can be made," she said.
The statue 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. The crown stayed closed because the narrow, double-helix staircases could not be safely evacuated in an emergency and didn't comply with fire and building codes.
New handrails have since been installed to help with the climb. Only 30 people per hour are allowed up the dark, small staircase. Visitors must be led by park rangers.
Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., pushed for years for the crown to be reopened. He once called the decision to close it off "a partial victory for terrorists." The reopening "represents some personal vindication," he said Saturday.
So far, nearly 14,500 tickets to the crown have been sold through the end of August. Tickets are currently on sale are for visits in the fall and beyond.
