Big Ben
51.501972°N 0.119803°W

Big Ben on the right along with the along with the Palace of Westminster. June, 1986

Big Ben
51.500950°N 0.119961°W

June, 1986

Big Ben

The second bell installed is in the center along with the quarter bells.

Big Ben is the bell in Elizabeth Tower which is part of the Palace of Westminster in London, England.

Even though the name Big Ben is actually the name of the bell only, often times Elizabeth Tower’s clock and the tower itself are referred to as Big Ben. The construction of the tower was completed in1858 and was originally called Clock Tower. The tower was renamed in 2012 to honor Queen Elizabeth II for her diamond jubilee. The origin of the name Big Ben is debatable. It was either named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw the hanging of the bell, or England’s heavyweight boxing champion, Benjamin Caunt.

The first main bell to be hung in the tower in 1856 cracked and had to be replaced. A second bell was cast in 1858. The great bell is 7.5 ft. tall (2.29 m) and 9 ft. (2.74 m) in diameter. It too developed a crack, but was rotated an eighth of a turn so that the hammer strikes the bell in a different place. This 13.5 ton bell has chimed ever since but with a unique sound due to the crack.

Although the iconic tower is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world only residents of the United Kingdom can tour the inside of the tower. They must make an appointment with their member of parliament and be able to climb the 334 steps, as there is no lift.

Big Ben

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 was completed in 1858 and has become one of the most prominent symbols of both London and England, often in the establishing shot of films set in the city.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big Ben
• Hillman 1000 Wonders