# Practical benefits of getting the 'key to the city'? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 9, 2009, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109 "2009-02-09T18:54:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/1 "2009-02-09T18:54:36Z")
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](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_City) 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? Enquiring minds want to know. ---
**Author:** ![Gus\_Gusterson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@Gus\_Gusterson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Gusterson)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/2 "2009-02-09T19:13:58Z")
It is purely ceremonial and confers no special privileges. They’ll probably get a nice dinner out of it, but that’s it. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/3 "2009-02-09T19:20:38Z")
You can come back to the city after a late night out and not worry about being locked out or banging on a window to get let in. ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/4 "2009-02-09T21:41:55Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > You can come back to the city after a late night out and not worry about being locked out or banging on a window to get let in. New York’s pretty cool, but I heard Chapel Hill’ll give you a fine scolding and then make you sit on the front porch to think about what you’ve done. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/5 "2009-02-09T22:33:06Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > You can come back to the city after a late night out and not worry about being locked out or banging on a window to get let in. 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. ---
**Author:** ![HolyFreakingMoly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ba0ec/32.png) [@HolyFreakingMoly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HolyFreakingMoly)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/6 "2009-02-09T22:43:03Z")
Yeah, you can stay out as long as you want. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/7 "2009-02-10T02:22:07Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/8 "2009-02-10T04:08:12Z")
> [@](#): > > New York’s pretty cool Just don’t misplace your key. Do you know how much it would cost them if they had to change all the locks to New York City? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/9 "2009-02-10T14:11:20Z")
Dang, not even a discount coupon for somewhere? What a rip. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/10 "2009-02-10T14:42:21Z")
10% off with participating hookers. ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/11 "2009-02-10T15:12:46Z")
I seem to remember reading about Colin Powel getting the keys to NYC and included was a lifetime subway pass. Don’t remember where I read it, when I read it, but I’m pretty sure I read it. So ymmv and so on. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/12 "2009-02-11T20:38:46Z")
So just noticed on MSN that they’re highlighting this article from Slate: What Can You Open With a Key to the City? [Capt. Sully Sullenberger just got a key to New York. Can I call him if I lock myself out?](http://www.slate.com/id/2210914/?GT1=38001) ---
**Author:** ![hekk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@hekk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hekk)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/13 "2009-02-12T00:04:57Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > So just noticed on MSN that they’re highlighting this article from Slate: > > What Can You Open With a Key to the City? > [Capt. Sully Sullenberger just got a key to New York. Can I call him if I lock myself out?](http://www.slate.com/id/2210914/?GT1=38001) Saddam Hussein got a key to the city in Detroit? Explains a lot, actually.. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/14 "2009-02-12T04:03:38Z")
Sometimes the freedom of a city gives you special rights to graze your sheep and cattle along the main street or whatever. _Could_ be useful, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/15 "2009-02-12T04:47:11Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > That brings up an interesting possible historical connotation - back when cities were routinely walled up, did they practice this ceremony? Seems like [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_to_the_city#Key_to_the_city) supports your WAG: > [@Wikipedia](#): > > An ornamental key is presented to esteemed visitors, residents, or others the city wishes to honor. Evoking medieval walled cities whose gates were guarded during the day and locked at night, the key symbolizes the freedom of the recipient to enter and leave the city at will as a trusted friend of city residents. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/16 "2009-02-12T05:03:15Z")
> [@hekk](#): > > Saddam Hussein got a key to the city in Detroit? > > Explains a lot, actually.. Detroit gave Nicolae Ceaucescu the key to itself, too. Guess they’re big on dictators or something. ---
**Author:** ![FlyingRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/59ef9b/32.png) [@FlyingRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRat)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/17 "2009-02-12T09:52:53Z")
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](http://www.dublincity.ie/YourCouncil/LordMayorDublin/FreedomoftheCity/Pages/FreedomoftheCityHome.aspx)): > [@](#): > > Privileges of a Freeman/Freewoman > > - The right to bring goods into Dublin through the city gates, without paying customs duties. > - The right to pasture sheep on common ground within the city boundaries. This includes modern-day College Green (formerly Hoggen Green) and St.Stephen’s Green. (This right was exercised by Freeman ‘Bono’ of U2 in 2000!) > - The right to vote in municipal and parliamentary elections. > > Duties of a Freeman/Freewoman > > - Each Freeman/Freewoman has to be ready to defend the city from attack. > - A Freeman/Freewoman can be called on to join a city militia at short notice. > - According to a law passed in 1454, any merchant who becomes a Freeman/Freewoman must possess the following items: a coat of mail, a bow, a light helmet, a sword of his/her own. Freemen from all the other trade guilds must have a bow, arrows and a sword. > - A law passed in 1465, states that each Freeman/Freewoman has to provide himself/herself with a longbow (of his own length) made of yew, witch-hazel or ash. He/she must also have twelve arrows made of the same wood. 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.) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/18 "2009-02-12T14:28:34Z")
> [@FlyingRat](#): > > 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](http://www.dublincity.ie/YourCouncil/LordMayorDublin/FreedomoftheCity/Pages/FreedomoftheCityHome.aspx)): > 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.) 😃 Wish I’d been working the city park that day: “Unless you can show me your bow, arrows and sword, you’d better get these sheep out of here” ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Armageddon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@Mister\_Armageddon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Armageddon)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/19 "2009-02-13T06:51:25Z")
Apparently Jimmy Carter had a few [spares](http://www.cartercenter.org/donate/winter_weekend/liveauction.asp). Check out item #34. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109/20 "2009-02-13T14:52:07Z")
> [@Mister\_Armageddon](#): > > Apparently Jimmy Carter had a few [spares](http://www.cartercenter.org/donate/winter_weekend/liveauction.asp). Check out item #34. That’s almost like re-gifting. If I’d given Jimmy something that I later saw up for auction on his damn website, I’d be pissed! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-benefits-of-getting-the-key-to-the-city/485109.md?page=2)