This Day in History: , Big Ben Goes Into <br />Operation in London.<br />May 31, 1859.<br />Perhaps the most famous clock tower <br />in the world, Big Ben was designed after a <br />fire destroyed the Palace of Westminster in 1834.<br />Set upon the Elizabeth Tower, <br />Big Ben is known for its spot-on accuracy.<br />The timekeeping of the tower <br />is regulated by coin stacks located <br />on the clock's pendulum.<br />It is said to be named after the <br />long-winded London commissioner <br />of works, Sir Benjamin Hall.<br />Big Ben survived the severe destruction <br />of the London bombings during World War II,<br /> continuing to ring out on the hour.<br />It went silent for the first time <br />in its history in 2017 for renovations <br />meant to last until 2021
