Statue of Liberty Stays Open Amid U.S. Government Shutdown

In the face of the recent U.S. government shutdown, one icon stands resilient: the Statue of Liberty. Despite closures across national parks and historic sites, the Statue of Liberty and nearby Ellis Island have kept their doors open, much to the relief of tourists like Angie Hill from North Carolina.

This development stands in stark contrast to the experiences at other U.S. sites, like President Jimmy Carter's grave and the Independence National Historical Park, which have shuttered due to the shutdown. As this marks the nation's 15th shutdown since 1981, the strain is evident, highlighting broader governmental management issues.

While the National Park Service prepared for such a scenario by furloughing thousands of workers, leaving most park roads accessible but centers closed, there