New York:
The Statue of Liberty has finally reopened months after Superstorm Sandy swamped its little island in New York Harbor.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other officials presided over a celebratory ribbon-cutting today to mark the reopening of the national landmark.
Sandy made landfall one day after the statue's 126th birthday in late October. The storm flooded most of Liberty Island and neighboring Ellis Island. Lady Liberty herself was spared, but the surrounding grounds took a beating.
Railings broke, docks and paving stones were torn up and buildings were flooded. The storm destroyed boilers, sewage pumps and electrical systems.
The national landmark welcomes about 3.5 million visitors every year.