2.5 tons lighter than the original, is cast or molded. 1859 - Construction on the tower is complete. May 1859 - The clock begins keeping time. July 11, 1859 - Big Ben chimes for the first time.

A lighter hammer had to be fitted and the bell was turned around so an undamaged section could be rung. The origin of the name Big Ben is not known, although two different theories exist.

The second bell hanging in the Clock Tower. Image public domain. This slightly lighter second bell, also dubbed Big Ben, was hoisted into the Clock Tower the following month. It gave its first ...

Big Ben is one of London's most famous landmarks ... and a big crack appeared. A lighter hammer was brought in, but the bell itself was never replaced.

Big Ben is finally ringing again after a long period of silence Big Ben will began to regularly chime again, after a special ringing for Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday. The giant clock has ...

LONDON — The Great Bell of the Great Clock at the Palace of Westminster, known to all as “Big Ben,” is scheduled to return to full-time service on Sunday, after being mostly silent for the ...

Big Ben had a continuous presence in the background of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral on Monday. The iconic clock, which is part of the Palace of Westminster in London, tolled once every minute for ...

Sir Lindsay Hoyle might be best known for keeping MPs in line in the House of Commons - but he managed to clock off from the day job on Friday with a visit to Big Ben. The Speaker of the House ...