The document provides several facts about Big Ben and the clock tower in London:
- Big Ben is the nickname of the largest bell in the clock tower at the Houses of Parliament in London, though the tower itself is officially called the Elizabeth Tower.
- The four clock faces are over 7 meters in diameter and are cleaned every 5 years by workers who abseil down the tower.
- The tower leans slightly to the northwest due to changes in the ground since it was built over 150 years ago.
1. The clock is very accurate. The
speed of the clock is adjusted by
placing old penny coins on the
pendulum. Adding a coin speeds
the clock by 2 fifths of a second
every 24 hours.
The name "Big Ben" actually
refers only to the 13 tonne bell
located within the clock tower.
The tower itself is actually
called simply "The Clock Tower".
2. Changes in ground conditions
in the 150 years since the
tower was constructed have
led to it leaning to the
north-west at an angle of
about 1 in 250.
3. Each of the four clock faces
has a diameter of over 7
meters. They are cleaned
once every 5 years by
abseiling cleaners.
There are cells in the tower
where Members of Parliament
can be imprisoned for a
breach of parliamentary
privilege.
4. Some more interesting facts about Big Ben
Big Ben is the biggest four-faced, chiming clock in the
world.
The real name of the tower, housing the clock, is 'Clock
Tower'. Big Ben is the nickname of the main bell, formally
known as the Great Bell, housed within the tower. However,
the nickname is more popular than the official one.
A survey of 2,000 people was conducted in 2008 that came
up with conclusion that the tower was the most popular
landmark in the United Kingdom.
Clock Tower is also been referred to as The Tower of Big
Ben and, incorrectly, St Stephen's Tower. However, the
latter is actually the spired tower towards the middle of the
Palace, which serves as the main point of entry for
attendees of debates and committees. It is also called Big
Tom.
5. Big Ben was built to replace the Old Palace of
Westminster, after it was destroyed by fire in
October 1834.
Big Ben was designed by Charles Barry.
The clock and its dials were designed by Augustus
Pugin.
The first 61 meters of Clock Tower are made up of
brickwork and stone cladding and the remainder of
tower is made from cast iron.
The bell of 'Big Ben' weighs 14.5 tonnes. It is the
huge size of the bell that inspired Benjamin Hall to
give it the name of Big Ben.
The bell of Clock Tower did not stop working even
during World War 2.
6. •••• The four faces of the clock are 55
meters above ground.
•••• At the base of each clock face is a Latin
inscription, in gilt letters. It reads -
DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM
NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM, which
means "O Lord, keep safe our Queen
Victoria the First".
•••• Clock Tower is the focus of New Year
celebrations in the United Kingdom, with
radio and TV stations tuning to its chimes to
welcome the start of the year.
•••• ITN's "News at Ten" opening sequence
features an image of the Clock Tower, with
the sound of clock's chimes punctuating the
announcement of the news headlines. It has
done so, on and off, for the last 41 years.
7. The clock tower widely known as Big Ben is to be renamed the
Elizabeth Tower in honour of the Queen, the House of Commons has
confirmed.
It follows a campaign, backed by most MPs and the three main party
leaders, to rename the tower in recognition of the Queen's 60 year reign.
At present the famous central London landmark is described by the Palace
of Westminster as the Clock Tower.
The House of Commons authorities have now agreed the change.
8. Notwithstanding that the official name of this
tower was changed for millions of tourists it will
remain the same , world known BIG BEN.
