Big Ben

T Clock Tower world's largest -faced, chiming clock. T structure situated north-eastern Houses Parliament Westminster, London. I often colloquially referred Bg B, which actually nickname housed within tower (formally known Great B). T Clock Tower referred T Tower Bg B , incorrectly, S Stephen's Tower, which actually spired tower towards middle Palace point entry attendees debates committees.

T Clock Tower Faces

T clock faces large enough allowed Clock Tower largest -faced clock world, since outdone y Allen-Bradley Clock Tower Milwaukee, Wisconsin. T builders Allen-Bradley Clock Tower chimes clock, Great Clock Westminster still holds title "world's largest -faced chiming clock". T clock mechanism itself completed y 1854, tower fully constructed until years later, 1858.

T clock dials designed y Augustus Pugin. T clock faces frame 7 metres (23 ) diameter, supporting 312 pieces p glass, rather stained-glass window. S glass pieces y removed inspection hands. T surround dials heavily gilded. A clock g letters Latin inscription DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM, which means O Lord, p Queen Victoria First.

I interesting 4 indicated IV rather usual IIII.

T clock became operational 7 September 1859.

Bg B Symbol

T clock become symbol United Kingdom London, particularly visual media. W television -maker wishes quickly convey -UK audience generic location Britain, popular y image Clock Tower, often Routemaster Hackney carriage foreground. T gambit often United Kingdom itself, would suggest British people specific location London, which y intention. Bg B often polled M Iconic London F Location.

T sound clock chiming y audio media, Westminster Quarters heard other clocks other devices, unique nature particular sound considerably diluted.

T Clock Tower focus N Y celebrations United Kingdom, radio TV stations tuning chimes welcome start y. Similarly, Remembrance Dy, chimes Bg B broadcast 11 11 y 11 month start minutes' silence.

F years ITN's "News T" began opening sequence which featured Clock Tower Bg B chimes punctuating announcement headlines. T Bg B chimes still today during headlines ITV N bulletins graphic based Westminster clock . Bg B heard striking before bulletins BBC Radio 4 (6 p midnight, p 10 p Sundays) BBC World Service, practice began 31 December 1923. T chimes microphone permanently installed tower connected y Broadcasting House.

Londoners appropriate distance Clock Tower Bg B , y means listening chimes radio television, strike thirteen times N Year's E. T possible amounts -strike offset between electronically transmitted chimes y virtue combination digital coding decoding satellite transit delay. Guests invited count chimes aloud radio gradually turned .