As the weekend to celebrate our independence day rolls around, a truly special event to mark the occasion, the Statue of Liberty's crown is reopening to the public.

It is nearly time for Lady Liberty's crowning moment, once again.

The Statue of Liberty's top venue, closed since the September 11th attacks, is the last part of the monument to reopen.

In May 2009, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar made the announcement on the Today show.

"On the 4th of July, we will open up the crown of the Statue of Liberty here in New York and New Jersey to the entire people of America," said Salazar.

Since 1886, Lady Liberty has served as a beacon of hope and freedom, welcoming immigrants to America, and continues to draw three to four million visitors each year.

"I think you look at it, and it's the foundation of our country. Freedom, democracy - this is what America stands for," said visitor June Middleton.

"There's so much history behind. I studied it in school and now, I'm here. It's awesome," visitor Nicky Seevers said.

The statue is an impressive architectural and engineering feat.

A patina copper shell, inside a skeletal steel frame allows the statue the flexibility to sway in high winds.

The framework surrounds a double-helix staircase.

The statue's spine and the only way up and down for visitors making the trek to the crown.

The climb to the crown, 354 steps on a narrow, spiral staircase, may end up being the easiest part of the journey, compared to the wait.

The National Park Service says tickets are already sold out through November 2009.

Visitors who will miss the opening, say they plan come back someday to see the view from the crown's 25 glass panels, symbolizing gemstones.

"It's got to be a beautiful view. I would like to go up there. I was disappointed we wouldn't be there for that. We missed it by a few days," said visitor Joseph Johnson.

Until then, Lady Liberty and her crown jewel will be waiting.

There is one part of the Statue of Liberty still off limits, the torch.

And it will not be opening to the public anytime soon.

Access to the torch ended in 1916.