Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, and often extended to refer to the clock and the clock tower, officially named Elizabeth Tower, as well. Elizabeth Tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest free-standing clock tower. It celebrated its 150th anniversary on 31 May 2009, during which celebratory events took place. The tower was completed in 1858 and has become one of the most prominent symbols of both London and England, often in the establishing shot of films set in the city.
Read more about Big Ben: Elizabeth Tower, Nickname, Significance in Popular Culture, Accolades
Famous quotes containing the words big and/or ben:
“Call the roller of big cigars,
The muscular one, and bid him whip
In kitchen cups concupiscent curds.”
—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)
“For of fortunes sharp adversitee
The worst kynde of infortune is this,
A man to han ben in prosperitee,
And it remembren, whan it passed is.”
—Geoffrey Chaucer (1340–1400)