Big Ben marks 150th birthday

LONDON -- Britain's Big Ben marked its 150th birthday with a celebration Saturday in London.

The bell first pealed July 11, 1859, a few weeks after the clock in the famous tower above the Houses of Parliament began keeping time. While the tower is commonly referred to as Big Ben, it is the bell itself that carries that name.

A projection wishing the bell a happy birthday will be broadcast on the south side of the 315-foot tower.

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 was one of several honoring the 150th anniversary of the British landmark.