The Statue of Liberty has reopened to the public for the first time since Superstorm Sandy. It had only been open for a few days last October after a year of renovations when Liberty Island was pummeled by the storm, leading to another shutdown of the statue.

Malia Obama turns 14 this Wednesday, and Barack Obama has declared a United States federal holiday to celebrate the occasion.

This weekend when you're setting off Roman candles and other such contraptions in the backyard, take a minute to stop and think of what the firework itself goes through on its flight. It soars in the air, explodes, and then crashes to earth. Let's show you!

[This home run got an early start on the long weekend by sunning herself in the park. Hope you guys have a great July 4th weekend and get to, um, see some fireworks. Image via Getty]

[July 4th fire last night on the corner of Wythe and North 9th at the Rosenwach Wood Tank Company in the middle of Williamsburg proper. There's no evidence to support hipsters (or hipster-exploiting developers) started it. Photo via everyplace's photostream]

Things I Did On My July 4th Vacation: hit up The New Museum's Younger Than Jesus exhibition. It's a contemporary art exhibit showcasing only artists born after 1976. It ends today. Here is what I saw, presented without comment.