The Beginning of Time

Greenwich is a small town outside of London, it's a cute little suburb about an hour's trip down the Thames from Westminster. Greenwich is also the center of the world. I bet you thought the center of the world was New York City (or, if you're from NorCal, the Bay Area). But no, this pretty little town is in fact the center of the world. Because Greenwich, England, is at exactly 0 degrees longitude. It is where East meets West. And the place from which all time is kept.

The Prime Meridian is an imaginary, man-made line down the center of the Earth for the specific purpose of telling the time. This line did not always run through Greenwich, and some places still do not recognize this time demarcation.  The current Greenwich Meridian was selected by a council held in Washington D.C. in 1884. They chose the point because of Greenwich's long history with time. The Royal Observatory atop the hill in Greenwich is the largest visual time piece in the world (originally used to give ship captains along the Thames an accurate time reading).  It is also where the first accurate modern star maps were produced, and where the first accurate, modern clock was created.

Greenwich has historical significance to England as well. The town has had a palace built on the plateau near the river for hundreds of years. King Henry VIII was born in Greenwich, as were his daughters, Queens Mary (Bloody Mary) and Elizabeth (the "virgin queen").

It's easy to see why so many important historical figures would choose Greenwich in which to live and work. It's a beautiful spot, close enough to the city to not feel disconnected, but far enough to be a little bit isolated.
Also, I want my husband to build me a palace like this one!