On 31 May 1859, Big Ben rang for the first time. The first bell was made in 1856, but it cracked after a few months. A second bell was made two years later. It weighed sixteen tonnes. The hammer that makes it ring weighs 200 kilos. But it too cracked just two months after being installed. This time, there was no question of replacing it. it was simply decided to change the axis so that the hammer would not hit the crack. That's why it has a sound that's unique in the world, because it sounds in E major.

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