Parliament marks Big Ben anniversary
1 January 2009 (updated on 22 April 2010)
During 2009, Parliament will hold a series of events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its world famous Clock Tower, Great Clock and Great Bell. To mark this anniverary year the Parliament website has launched a dedicated site that will help users to follow this year's celebratory events.
The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell but the nickname was first given to the Great Bell. 1859 heralded the completion of the Clock Tower, the starting of the Great Clock and the first time the Great Bell’s chimes were heard.
The Big Ben 1859-2009 site features information about the history of the Clock Tower, details how the Clock works and why it has stopped occasionally in the past, and includes works of art and archive material about the Tower and the Great Bell. The site also takes users behind the scenes with an online virtual tour, an online events calendar with subscription email updates, and exclusive downloads with banners, ringtones and screensavers celebrating the 150th anniversary.