Big Ben celebrates 150 years of bongs
LONDON — Britain's Big Ben is marking its 150th birthday with a celebration in London on Saturday.
The booming bell first pealed on July 11, 1859 — a few weeks after the clock in the famous tower above the Houses of Parliament began keeping time.
A projection wishing the bell a happy birthday will be broadcast on the south side of the 315-foot (96-meter) tower at about 10 p.m. (2100 GMT; 5 p.m. EDT).
Mike McCann, the keeper of the Great Clock, says Big Ben stands as a magnificent example of engineering — and is much-loved.
Big Ben's bongs are a cherished feature of life in London. They mark the hour and are carried globally by the BBC.
The event is one of several honoring the 150th anniversary of the British landmark.
Recent comments
Happy Birthday Big Ben - a favorite UK landmark! From childhood, I...
Mimzi - Sandy Horton | July 11, 2009 at 2:12 p.m.
- Criminal probe on party crashers? 1:16 p.m.
- White House Christmas tree arrives 1:16 p.m.
- Al Alberts of The Four Aces dies 1:12 p.m.
- West Valley opens holiday season 1:11 p.m.
- Tiger Woods hurt in car accident 1:09 p.m.
- Gov't delays Web gambling ban 12:54 p.m.
- Body recovery to be discussed 12:36 p.m.
- Final hurdle coming for TCU 12:33 p.m.
- Big-name coaches looking for jobs 12:33 p.m.
- 15 first-timers on Hall ballot 12:31 p.m.
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
262 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
211 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
139 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
133 - Boys basketball rankings
122 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
105 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
102
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
are no longer little brother. You are now little league brother.
Wynn throwing to Reed on a deep post? ...while lying flat on his back...
A man kissed by another man without his consent might reasonably be punched...
I haven't been this excited for the annual rivalry game in years - funny...
I grew up going to every Utah home game and I have a bunch of great memories....
Notice the moral relativism? How did those using edited hacked e-mails react...
He with with a bunch of people. There are plenty of news articles stating...
Iran is ruled by evil madmen. . . Stories like this make one "itch" to nuke...
...the number of wins each football team will have by Christmas
In Matthew Chapter 7 (KJV), Christ taught: 16: Ye shall know them by...


