WASHINGTON, October 2 (by Suleiman Wali for RIA Novosti) – As Americans brace themselves for what may be a prolonged government shutdown, more than 400 national parks and museums across the country have been forced to close and turn away scores of tourists.
The last time the US federal government was forced into a partial shutdown in the mid-1990s, some seven million people were unable to visit shuttered national landmarks.
The partial shutdown, which has also forced the closure of some federal offices and services, will likely leave many tourists angry and surrounding business hurting yet again.
Here is a look at 10 famous US landmarks that will be closed as the Congress and President Barack Obama try to forge a deal on a bill that would fund the government.
Statue of Liberty, New York - Tourists walk by a sign that announces the Statue of Liberty is closed.
Credit: Emmanuel Dunand, AFP
World War II Memorial, Washington - Determined to visit the World War II Memorial no matter what, a group of war veterans pushed aside barriers to get inside on Tuesday. Park police officers did not stop them, but did say they would try to figure out how to prevent people from breaking through in the future.
Credit: Lachlan Markay/Twitter
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington - Normally filled with thousands of tourists each day, the Air and Space Museum stands silent.
Credit: Kevin Lamarque, Reuters
Lincoln Memorial, Washington - US National Park Service workers fence off the Lincoln Memorial and place signs that warn visitors not to enter.
Credit: Paul J. Richards, AFP
National Gallery of Art, Washington - A group of art students sits and draws on the staircase of the National Art Gallery after being turned away from the building.
Credit: Jewel Samad, AFP
Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, Outside of Paris - Run by the US government, the cemetery in which American soldiers from both World Wars are buried was one of the international sites that was affected by events in Washington. Here, journalists interview the cemetery's caretaker.
Credit: Pierre Andrieu, AFP
US Capitol, Washington - The building that houses the US Congress is also a famous tourist site. But visitors have to settle on taking photos of just the outside of the building.
Credit: Larry Downing, Reuters
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington - Newspapers are left outside of one of Washington's most famous museums.
Credit: Jim Watson, AFP
Jefferson Memorial, Washington - Standing behind a fence, a visitor takes a picture of the memorial that's dedicated to America's third president.
Credit: Kevin Lamarque, Reuters
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco - A security officer holds a sign informing visitors that Alcatraz Island, which houses the famous former prison, is closed.
Credit: Stephen Lam, Reuters
