Big Ben's Birthday

The clock face in St. Stephen's Tower, which houses the Big Ben bell, is seen in London, Thursday, April 10, 2008, on its 150th anniversary. The world-famous great bell of Britain's Parliament buildings weighs 15.1 tons and was cast on April 10, 1858, at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in east London.

Shafts of sunlight are seen in front of St. Stephen's Tower, which houses the Big Ben bell, in London, Thursday, April 10, 2008.

Big Ben and Parliament are seen at dusk with passing car lights in foreground, on Dec. 12, 2007.

Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara passes in front of St. Stephen's Tower and Big Ben, during the first stage of this year's Tour De France, in London, Saturday July 7, 2007.

A daffodil is seen in bloom, in front of Big Ben at the Houses Of Parliament on Monday, March 12, 2007 in London.

A clock mechanic checks a quarter bell of Big Ben during maintenance in London on July 5, 2006.

A "London 2012" Olympic-bid flag flies in front of Big Ben clock tower, in London, Feb. 15, 2005.

An armed police officer is on gate duty outside the Palace of Westminster with Big Ben, London, Sept. 16, 2004.

Tourists use a red phone box in Parliament Square, London, April 22, 2004.

A man walks across a puddle as St. Stephen's Tower, commonly known as Big Ben, is reflected on the pavement on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, in London.

The London Eye ferris wheel capsule is seen in front of Big Ben, London on Feb. 2, 2000.

Big Ben's clockface is seen at midnight in London on June 28, 1999.

A view of the Houses of Parliament and River Thames, London, on Oct. 15, 1997.

A pay-phone kiosk is in front of Big Ben, London, Oct. 7, 2000.

The Houses of Parliament and the London skyline on Oct. 7, 2000.