The clock tower at the Houses of Parliament starts keeping time

31 May 1859

 

 

Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London.

The tower is now officially called the Elizabeth Tower, after being renamed (from „Clock Tower„) to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The Elizabeth Tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest free-standing clock tower. The tower was completed in 1858 and had its 150th anniversary on 31 May 2009, during which celebratory events took place.

The Elizabeth Tower has become one of the most prominent symbols of both London and England and is often in the establishing shot of films set in the city.

More on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ben

 

The Mechanical Genius of Big Ben

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