Beacons light up the world

The Rev. Jane Hedges, Canon of Westminster Abbey, lights a beacon outside the Abbey as part of Diamond Jubilee celebrations on June 4, 2012, in London.

All across the globe 4,150 beacons were lit in Commonwealth countries in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. For only the second time in its history, the U.K. celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of a monarch. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrated the 60th anniversary of her ascension to the throne.

Complete Coverage: The Queen's Jubilee

Clergy and volunteers of Westminster Abbey and their guests watch a beacon they had lit moments before burn outside the Abbey as part of Diamond Jubilee celebrations on June 4, 2012, in London.

Complete Coverage: The Queen's Jubilee

Clergy and volunteers of Westminster Abbey and their guests watch a beacon they had lit moments before burn outside the Abbey as part of Diamond Jubilee celebrations on June 4, 2012, in London.

All across the globe 4,150 beacons were lit in Commonwealth countries in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. For only the second time in its history, the U.K. celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of a monarch. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates the 60th anniversary of her ascension to the throne.

Complete Coverage: The Queen's Jubilee

Major General Nick Eeles, Governor of Edinburgh Castle and General Officer Commanding Scotland, lights the Diamond Jubilee beacon at Edinburgh Castle beside Mons Meg Cannon in Edinburgh, June 4, 2012.

Complete Coverage: The Queen's Jubilee

A Diamond Jubilee beacon is lit at Mow Cop Castle near Kidsgrove in central England, on June 4, 2012.

Complete Coverage: The Queen's Jubilee

A beacon is lit on the battlements of the Tower of London as part of a four-day Diamond Jubilee celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne in London, June 4, 2012.

Complete Coverage: The Queen's Jubilee

People view the Diamond Jubilee beacon at Edinburgh Castle beside Mons Meg Cannon in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 4, 2012.

Complete Coverage: The Queen's Jubilee

Spectators with Britain's Union flags during the Queen's jubilee concert on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace in London, on June 4, 2012.

A chain of more than 4,200 beacons began to flare across the globe on June 4 to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, with the last lit by the monarch at a star-studded concert at Buckingham Palace.

Complete Coverage: The Queen's Jubilee

A beacon lit outside Buckingham Palace marks the end of the Jubilee concert, a part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London on June 4, 2012.

Thousands of flag-waving fans gathered to watch British music royalty celebrate Queen Elizabeth II on June 4, 2012 with a Buckingham Palace concert featuring acts from throughout her 60-year-reign. The queen's husband, Prince Philip, missed the concert after being hospitalized with a bladder infection.

Complete Coverage: The Queen's Jubilee

A picture shows the final jubilee beacon lit by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at the end of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace in London on June 4, 2012.

Complete Coverage: The Queen's Jubilee

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and opposition Leader Tony Abbott jointly light a ceremonial beacon to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee at Parliament House on June 4, 2012, in Canberra, Australia.

Complete Coverage: The Queen's Jubilee