Click here for Lao version/ຄລິກບ່ອນນີ້ເພື່ອອ່ານພາສາລາວ
The United States Government has announced that tourists will once again be allowed to climb inside the Statue of Liberty -- all the way up to her famous crown. The small viewing deck has been closed ever since the September 11TH terrorist attacks of 2001. Eight years later, on America's Independence Day (also known as the Fourth of July), the crown observation deck will be re-opened to the public.
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable statues in the
world -- viewed as a beacon of hope by more than a century's worth of
immigrants passing through New York in search of a better life. It is also a
major tourist attraction.
But ever since the 2001 terrorist attacks at New York's World Trade Center, a
small part of this structure -- Lady Liberty's crown -- has been closed to the
public.
Due to security and safety concerns, the crown has been off limits to visitors
for nearly 8 years. But on July 4th, known as U.S. Independence Day, the Crown
will once again be open to the public.
Darren Boch works for the National Park Service which oversees operation of the
Statue of Liberty said
"On America's Birthday this July 4th 2009 -- eight years later -- we are
very excited about offering the opportunity once again to the American People
and to people all over the world to visit the crown of the statue of Liberty.
"
A journey to the top is not for everyone. First, visitors have to climb more
than 200 steep steps through the center of the statue.
Then, when you get to the top, the experience is cramped and the views a little
limited, but that has not stopped people from trying to book their place in
line in advance.
Officials say demand has been so great that their Website froze the day it was
announced the crown was to reopen. But they also foresee disappointment.
The number of people who can climb to the crown will be limited. Details have
yet to be finally decided, but visitors are expected to be limited to about 150
visitors a day.
Liberty Island currently gets 3.6 million visitors a year, so even though it is
a climb, Liberty's Crown is likely to be one of the most sought after tickets
in town come July 4th.
Click on the right top for audio report in Lao
