Big Ben
Big Ben
Big Ben is the bell that strikes the hours in the clock tower
above the Houses of Parliament at Westminster in London. It
weighs 13.5 tons and was named Big Ben in honor of Sir
Benjamin Hall, who was Commissioner of Works at the time of
the tower’s completion in 1858. Interestingly, the White chapel
Bell Foundry where it was cast is still operating from the same
location today. There are four smaller bells in the tower which
strike the quarters and are called ‘Little Bens’.
Big Ben symbolizes to many people the ‘Mother of
Parliaments’. The British have long period themselves on their
democratic tradition. The English Parliament was united with
the Scottish Parliament in 1707 and with the Irish between
1801 and 1922.
Since 1688 it has been customary for the king or queen to
choose his or her ministers from the dominant political party in
the Commons.
The Houses of Parliament are not particularly old – the present
building having been built between 1840 and 1860. It does,
however, incorporate portions of the medieval Palace of
Westminster. The Commons debating chamber – which
nowadays can be seen on television – was destroyed by
incendiary during World War II and was later rebuilt preserving
its former character.
When the Houses of Parliament are in session, the clock is
illuminated at night by a light that goes off only when the
House rises.
Ben Besar