‘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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Papa was a flightless bird
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Happy Independence Day!
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Nursing the world to health
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Happy Boxing Day!
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New Year s Day
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1, 1, 2, 3: It s Fibonacci Day!
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International Polar Bear Day
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Here’s looking at you, teachers
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Summer solstice
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Taughannock Falls State Park
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Keyholes to the kingdom
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International Mountain Day
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A view from the top
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Silvereyes in South Korea
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The Cathedral of Florence, Italy
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Red-leaf hunting in Japan
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Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand
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Diwali
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30 years after Exxon Valdez
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Presidents Day
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Juneteenth
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Martinique
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An octagonal architectural treasure
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Joan charges Riverside Park
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Crescent Lake near Dunhuang, China
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Gentoo penguins in Antarctica
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Dog days of summer
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International Museum Day
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Winter solstice
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Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam