Final answer:
The torch of the Statue of Liberty was closed in 1916 due to structural damage from an explosion on Black Tom Island, caused by German saboteurs during World War I, and has remained closed since then due to safety concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The torch of the Statue of Liberty was closed to visitors in 1916 as a result of structural damage caused by an explosion on July 30th of that year.
The explosion occurred on the nearby Black Tom Island, which served as a munitions depot, and was attributed to sabotage by German agents intending to prevent the materials from being used by the Allies in World War I. The blast was so powerful that windows as far as 25 miles away in Manhattan were shattered, and fragments from the explosion inflicted significant damage to the torch and part of the statue's arm.
Safety concerns after the incident led to the decision to close the torch to the public. It has remained closed since then, although the rest of the Statue of Liberty was eventually reopened after repairs and renovations. Visitors can still access the pedestal and crown, but the torch remains off-limits due to the damage it sustained and the difficulty in providing safe visitor access.