Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Today in History - May 31, 1859 - Big Ben Goes Into Operation in London

Big Ben Goes Into Operation in London - May 31, 1859

    For those of you who don't yet know, Big Ben is a landmark tower clock in London, England. It is located on the top of St. Stephen's Tower and rings out over the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.
   Weighing over 13 tons, the tower's bell came down the streets of London, carried by 16 horse teams (that would have been an interesting sight to see!) The clock was designed to have the precise time.
  During WWII, a bomb destroyed the chamber of the House of Commons, but St. Stephen's Tower stayed intact. Big Ben continued to function. The clock has four faces which are lit up at night for everyone to see. There is a light above the tower clock that is lit when Parliament is in session.
Source: History.com-Big Ben Goes Into Operation in London

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