Keyword: Big Ben

Big Ben

Although Big Ben is the name of the bell, for many years people have called the tower and clock Big Ben.

Big Ben is an enormous 13-ton bell inside the Great Clock of Westminster. Big Ben's proper name is the Great Bell of Westminster. An architect named Charles Barry was hired for the the job. The first try was unsuccessful and the bell cracked due to its enormous size. Big Ben was re-cast at Whitechapel Bell Foundry and the bell was finally mounted in 1858. The clock bells first rang in 1859.

The clock's minute hand is 14 feet long and the hour hand is 9 feet long. In addition to Big Ben, the clock tower houses 4 other bells that chime every quarter hour.

The clock tower stands more than 300 feet tall and is part of the Palace of Westminster, home of the Houses of Parliament, which is the government of England. A light shines above the clock face when Parliament is in session.

During World War II, a bomb hit the Houses of Parliament. Fortunately, Big Ben went unharmed and still works today.

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