The Statue of Liberty’s crown reopened today, the 4th of July. How Patriotic! 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. About 14,500 tickets to the crown have already been sold, and tickets for the July Fourth weekend sold out within hours.

The Statue of Liberty is one of my favorite historical monuments, partly because I loved dressing up as her (as shown in this photo) and also because my mom has always admired the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of pride. As an Italian immigrant, my mom loves American nostalgia. When my mom came to this country she didn’t come via New York so she didn’t seen the Statue of Liberty live and in person until she came to visit me in NYC in 2005. My mom was so cute as she looked up at Lady Liberty with such joy and honor in her face saying “Oh the Statue of Liberta, what a beautiful lady!” Ever since that day, I get especially sentimental when I’m going over the Brooklyn bridge and can see that “beautiful lady” standing in the distance. Next time my mom visits, I can’t wait to take her up to her crown.