Events will celebrate 40 years at the Gateway Arch

ST. LOUIS -- Special events will be held at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial on Friday and Saturday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the day the last piece of St. Louis' Gateway Arch was put into place.

Reduced rates will be offered on Friday, the actual anniversary. Some special events will also be held Saturday, though regular tram and film pricing applies. The Arch is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.

On Friday, retro prices will be available for tram rides to the top of the Arch.

The Academy Award-nominated documentary about the Arch, "Monument to the Dream," will have free viewings with builders introducing the film by talking about their work on the Arch. .

There will be book signings for the new publication, "The Gateway Arch, An Architectural Dream."

Also Friday:

* 9 a.m.: Anniversary tram ride with dignitaries.

* 9:45 a.m.: First public trips to the top; visitors may want to reserve seats in advance.

* 10 a.m.: Grand opening of exhibit, "The Creative Spirit of Eero Saarinen," covering the life and career of the Arch's architect. The architect's daughter Susan Saarinen will speak.

* 2 p.m.: Monument to the Dream viewing with a talk by Grace Guggenheim, daughter of filmmaker Charles Guggenheim.

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On the Net:

More details about the Arch celebration: www.archanniversary.com