The striking hammer is locked, and the bells can then be disconnected from the clock mechanism. However, a statement on parliament’s website at the time said: “Starting and stopping Big Ben is a complex and lengthy process. He even suggested Big Ben could have continued to ring throughout the night, citing the fact that the bell was “terribly important to the mental wellbeing of the nation”. Surprisingly, the decision to silence the bells during this time, a decision made to protect the hearing of the workers, drew criticism from senior MPs such as James Gray who said the decision was “entirely bonkers” and that it was “ridiculous” to keep the bell silenced for four years. Amusingly, in 1949 the clock slowed by four and a half minutes after a flock of starlings perched on the minute hand of the clock.ĭuring the two world wars, the bells were either silenced or the clock was rendered unilluminated to avoid German air attacks.Īugust 2017 saw the bell’s chimes silenced for four years as major maintenance work was made on the clock mechanism – including the dials, hands, and lights – as well as repairs to the clock tower building.

In 18 the clock’s progress was impeded after heavy snow fell on one of the clock’s hands, slowing it down for up to eight hours at one point. It has also been heard during the state funerals of previous monarchs and prime ministers.Įlizabeth Tower has sustained damage and breakdowns over its many years of standing tall over the City of London. On top of being a visual symbol the clock tower is used as a focal point for celebrations such as New Year and Remembrance Day, where the bells chime on the first second of midnight and on the 11th hour of November 11th respectively. The origin of this name has been debated over time, with some believing the bell was named after the man who installed it, Sir Benjamin Hall, whilst others thinking it has more to do with 19th century British heavyweight boxing champion Benjamin Caunt who held a similar nickname. Built over 160 years ago in 1859 by neo-gothic architect Augustus Pugin, it has been a cultural symbol of British representation ever since.Īlso known as Big Ben, the tower, clock, and the famous bell inside are often referred to one another interchangeably, but it is the huge bell that holds the Big Ben name. The Elizabeth Tower is arguably the most iconic British landmark standing today.

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