London History Day
{{Orphan|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox recurring event
|name= London History Day
|genre= Cultural events, special activities and exhibitions.
|frequency= Annually
|location= London, United Kingdom
|website= {{url|https://historicengland.org.uk/get-involved/protect/keep-it-london/london-history-day}}
}}
London History Day is an annual celebration in London that takes place on 31 May, the day that Big Ben first started keeping time.{{cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/get-involved/protect/keep-it-london/london-history-day/ |title=London History Day |publisher=Historic England |date=2017-05-31 |accessdate=2017-10-18}}
History
In May 2016 Historic England launched an online poll through YouGov asking the public to choose the most relevant date to celebrate London's history. 24% of people chose the day that Big Ben first kept time in 1859.{{cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/london-history-day-announced |title=London History Day Announced After Public Vote as Part of New Campaign to #KeepItLondon |publisher=Historic England |date=2016-06-17 |accessdate=2017-10-18}} The first London History Day took place on 31 May 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/attractions/london-history-day-what-to-do-and-where-to-celebrate-a3552971.html |title=London History Day: What to do and where to celebrate | London Evening Standard |publisher=Standard.co.uk |date=2017-05-31 |accessdate=2017-10-18}} Over 40 historic and cultural institutions hosted special events or highlighted rare objects in their collection.{{cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/education-and-youth/london-curriculum/celebrate-london-history-day |title=Celebrate London History Day | London City Hall |publisher=London.gov.uk |date=2017-05-31 |accessdate=2017-10-18}}
= 2020 =
The fourth London History Day took place during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Historic England and the Museum of London created a booklet to help families celebrate the day without leaving their homes. London residents were encouraged to celebrate from home by dressing up as a well-known person in London history using items they could find in their homes.[https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/lhd_2020_london_heroes_family_guide_0.pdf "London Heroes"]. Historic England. 2020. Retrieved 2021-4-30.