Big Ben to be renovated

The bells of the clock at the Palace of Westminster in London (often mislabeled as Big Ben, which is actually the name of the largest of the bells) will be silenced for three years, starting in January 2017, as the structure is renovated. In addition to repairing the roof and cleaning and inspecting the bells, the clock hands on all four sides will be stopped for the first time in its 160-year history as they are repaired and the springs are replaced.