General · 31 May 2026

165 Years On: The Day Big Ben Started Ticking

The clock at the Palace of Westminster began keeping time on May 31, 1859, marking a landmark achievement in Victorian engineering. The Great Bell, known as Big Ben, sounded its first official chimes weeks later on July 11. Renowned for its accuracy, the clock has become one of London’s most recognisable landmarks and remains a lasting symbol of the British capital.

By BriefTea Editorial · 31 May 2026 at 10:19