I was just reading this morning that the crew of the US Airways flight that recently ditched in the Hudson River has been given the key to the city by Mayor Bloomberg. According to the Wikipedia entry on the subject this is a tradition that dates back at least as far as Roman times, when it was primarily the granting of licence for military troops to enter a city without breaking ranks or laying down their arms. But what added value does such an honor provide today? Do the honorees get to ride the subway for free? Park in a no parking zone without getting a ticket? Jump the line at clubs?
That brings up an interesting possible historical connotation - back when cities were routinely walled up, did they practice this ceremony? And if they did, were there actually doors into the city that could be opened with keys? I usually picture a big heavy drawbridge type of thing that wouldn’t have opened with a key anyway, but maybe there were side entrances.
I actually did get my town’s equivalent to the key to the city (the outgoing mayor was passing them out like Tic Tacs.) It is suitable for framing. It’s not suitable for anything else.
A few years ago, the members of U2 (and their manager) were given the Freedom of the City of Dublin, which is about equivalent to the “key to the city” thing. The position is pretty ancient and does carry with it some benefits and responsibilities, as follows (from the official page):
As it says, Bono (and the Edge) both exercised their right to pasture sheep on city land the day after they received the award: they borrowed a couple of lambs from a local farmer and let them frolic. (I also recall that Bono’s lamb subsequently pooped on him.)
