‘Big Ben’ is the name commonly used to describe the tower, the clock, and the bell of this London landmark. But technically, Big Ben refers only to the tower’s Great Bell, which Londoners first heard chime on this day in 1859. Ordinarily, four quarter bells chime at 15, 30, and 45 minutes past the hour and again just before Big Ben tolls on the hour. However, Big Ben is silent for today’s anniversary. It stopped tolling in 2017 to undergo significant renovations that are expected to last through 2021. Eager tourists can still visit the tower, which was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 for Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.
All is silent for Big Ben’s musical milestone
Today in History
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Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act marks 42 years
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National Love a Tree Day
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Have you turned off your electronic device?
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A national icon
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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
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Forward-thinking women of history
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International Archaeology Day
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Chapel of St. Michel on Lake Serre-Ponçon, Hautes-Alpes, France
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It’s NASA’s 60th birthday
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Mackerel forming a bait ball to avoid predators
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Cloughoughter Castle, County Cavan, Ireland
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Christmas Eve
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Lizard of mystery
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New Year s Day
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Belgium celebrates its independence
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Château de Villandry, France
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Art and soul
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Let’s go foraging
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Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
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Aura River in Turku, Finland
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A yearly sign that spring has sprung
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Feel the spray in Monterey
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Black bear cub emerging into spring
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Hispanic Heritage Month
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A plot was afoot
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Goats don t grow on trees
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Westerheversand Lighthouse
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Mossy Grotto Falls, Oregon
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The Bazaruto Archipelago of Mozambique
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Arrone in Umbria, Italy