Big Ben
Big Benjamin is the nickname of a bell that rings in the clock tower at the northern end of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, England.[1] Officially, the tower itself is called the Clock Tower, Palace of Westminster. However, most people, including those that live in London, call the tower "Big Ben," because it is very large. It weighs 13 tons.[1]
Big Ben is the second bell in the tower. The first was damaged in 1856, due to a miscalculation.[1]
As a tribute to the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II the clock tower was renamed to Elizabeth Tower in September 2012.[2]
Statistics [change]
Big Ben is one of London's best-known landmarks. Some believe it got its name from Sir Benjamin Hall.[1] It is the world's largest four-faced chiming clock. The clock alone weighs about 5 tons (5.08 tonnes). The figures on the clock face are about 2 feet (610 mm) long and the minute spaces are 1 foot (305 mm) long. It took 13 years to build and it was completed in 1859. The tower is roughly 16 stories high.[3]
References [change]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "The story of Big Ben". whitechapelbellfoundry. http://www.whitechapelbellfoundry.co.uk/bigben.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
- ↑ Clock Tower renamed Elizabeth Tower for Jubilee (BBC News)
- ↑ "Bong! Big Ben rings in its 150th anniversary". msnbc. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31002198/. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
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