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The U.S.S. Constitution, 'America's Ship Of State,' Reopens To Public Friday

The U.S.S. Constitution, or "Old Ironsides," the U.S. Navy's oldest commissioned ship that is still afloat, is towed through Boston Harbor past the financial district skyline with its topsails unfurled in August 2014 in Boston. (AP)
The U.S.S. Constitution, or "Old Ironsides," the U.S. Navy's oldest commissioned ship that is still afloat, is towed through Boston Harbor past the financial district skyline with its topsails unfurled in August 2014 in Boston. (AP)

The U.S.S. Constitution — the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat — reopens to the public Friday, just a little more than a week before the state lifts pandemic restrictions on nearly all industries.

Spokesman Elliott Fabrizio said "Old Ironsides," as the ship is nicknamed, has been closed since last November to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

"This ship is meant to be open to the public," he said. "It's America's ship of state, and it really drives it home for us what's significant about having this ship still in commission when we get to see it through the public's eyes."

Before reopening Friday afternoon, the ship will take its first trip around Boston Harbor in about 18 months.

There will be a 21-gun salute at Castle Island for the Navy ship and a 17-gun salute near the Charlestown shipyard where the U.S.S. Constitution was built in 1797.

Headshot of Dan Guzman

Dan Guzman Executive Producer, All Things Considered
Dan Guzman is senior producer for Morning Edition at WBUR.

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