Statue of Liberty National Monument Celebrates 4th of July – Statue’s Crown Reopens to the Public
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that beginning this July 4, the public will once again be able to visit the crown of the Statue of Liberty, which was closed after the 9/11 attacks for safety and security reasons. To mark the occasion of the crown reopening, and to celebrate Independence Day, the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island, a unit of the National Park Service (NPS), will host and conduct events on Liberty Island, including:
7:45 am – 8:15 am Naturalization Ceremony conducted by the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute, to swear in 7 new citizens, all members of the U.S. armed forces
8:55 am – 9:10 am Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and dignitaries welcome first visitors to the crown; cut ribbon at steps to the crown in the Statue’s lobby
9:15 am – 10:20 am Official Program – Outside next to flagpole
Master of Ceremonies Ken Burns
Presentation of the Colors, US Park Police
Pledge of Allegiance, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute and seven new citizens
National anthem, American Idol finalist and Broadway star Constantine Maroulis accompanied by the Albany Marine Band
French national anthem by the Albany Marine Band
Remarks
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
Governor Jon Corzine (D-NJ)
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-6)
Congressman Anthony D. Weiner (NY-9)
Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute
Special Guest
French Ambassador M. Pierre Vimont
Performances
“God Bless America” performed by Constantine Maroulis
“Huddled Masses” performed by City Lights Youth Theatre Vocal Ensemble and vocalist Sasha Allen
11:00 am - 2:00 pm Performance Showcase – America: Who We Are
City Lights Youth Theatre presents selections from “WITH NOTHING BUT A DREAM: STORIES FROM ELLIS ISLAND”
The Dolce Duo and Guest present “From Jigs to Freylakhs: Music of the Immigrants”
Jennifer Stewart, National winner "Statue of Liberty Centennial Look-Alike Contest"
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www.nps.gov/npnh/parknews