The crown of the famed New York Statue of Liberty will reopen tomorrow for the first time since September 11th, 2001, and what better day than the celebration of America’s independence: the Fourth of July.

The Statue closed for several years after 9/11, but then reopened in 2004. Until tomorrow, the crown though still remained closed. The best views are from that narrow star-shaped crown and its opening will be a much appreciated event.

Because demand will be so heavy tomorrow, a lottery will be established whereby all ticket holders will be have the opportunity to be selected in groups of 30 every hour to go up to the crown.

Additional security measures have been taken to ensure that the crown will be well-graded from terrorists.

If you plan on going on to the crown then note bene: the crown will be open for the next tow years and then close for reconstructive work.

The Statue of Liberty was donated by a French architect to the United States as a gift meant to celebrate American liberty. There is a replica of the flame in Paris. It’s at street level and makes a nice photo as I discovered.

The inscription on the tablet states some of the most American of words:

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

Nothing is more American than the welcoming call for the “wretched refuse” who yearn “to breathe free.” The Golden Door is freedom.

Happy Fourth of July.