Going to Greenwich and standing at the Royal Observatory was one of the most fascinating parts of our trip. I had seen pictures of the Prime Meridian line before, but actually standing with one foot in each hemisphere made the idea of it much more real. What struck me was how much this site symbolized the role Europe has played in setting systems of order for the entire world.

The Observatory was created to improve navigation and make Britain’s growing empire stronger. Out of that came Greenwich Mean Time and the decision to place the Prime Meridian there. It was not just a scientific breakthrough but a statement of power. By defining time and space for the rest of the world, Britain reinforced its central role in global affairs.

In class, we have talked about how Europe has often built systems that extend beyond its own borders, whether political, economic, or cultural. The Observatory is a perfect example of that. Time zones and global navigation systems are things we take for granted today, but they came from decisions made in places like Greenwich. That made me think about how much of the structure of our daily lives is still shaped by choices that originated in Europe’s age of empire.

At the same time, being there raised questions for me about what it means to call something “universal.” We often use Greenwich as the center of global time, but that reflects a specifically European perspective that was spread through empire and colonization. Standing at the line made me think about how Europe’s influence can feel both practical and imposing at the same time.

The visit connected directly to what we have been discussing in class about Europe’s role in shaping global order. It showed me that even something as simple as the time on my phone comes from centuries of history and decisions about power, science, and control. Greenwich turned out to be one of those places where you can see the connection between abstract ideas and real physical landmarks.