It’s Big Ben’s 160th Birthday today. Or, more accurately, the 160th anniversary of the first time it struck.

I nicked the picture from Wikipedia, so I’m assuming it’s safe. That’s actually from 2007, when he was having his face cleaned.

First time I heard it struck, Uncle B took me into London without telling me why, maneuvered me directly under it just as it bonged out the hour. Just like on the BBC news.

Ironically, it’s under scaffolding today being overhauled. Renovations are expected to last into 2021.