Today's feature concerns a place where I have visited in person. It was on this date in 1859 that the clock tower which houses Big Ben began ticking. Yes, I know that Big Ben is what the clock tower is often called, but that is wrong. Big Ben is actually the hour bell that chimes. The building is called the clock tower.
I had the privilege of spending 6 weeks in England a few years back, and when we were in London, we saw this firsthand. It is a beautiful structure, and it is one of London's many landmarks that are well worth seeing.
For more information, check out:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8075833.stm
http://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/palace/big-ben/
http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/londons-big-ben-celebrates-150th-birthday-may-31
http://timelines.com/1859/5/31/big-ben-starts-ticking
I just finished Y.S. Lee's book, "The Body at the Tower" that was set during the time of the building of the clock tower. So, this post reminded me of the book.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite pictures while in London was in front of the clock tower! Great memories!
I didn't know that Big Ben was not the whole tower but the bell! Thanks for sharing!
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