Above: London’s Clock Tower, Big Ben

The bell of Big Ben weighs 13 tons. it is the heaviest and biggest bell ever made in London. Though it was cast on April 10 1958, making the clock itself took 2 long decades.

The first time the bell of the Great Clock of Westminster rang across London was on May 21st of 1859. During this time the Parliament sat down and deliberated on how to call this clock. Many suggestions were heard. One of which were that of Sir Benjamin Hall (Chief Lord of the Woods and Forests). He made a long remarkable speech. The large man was famously known in the house as “Big Ben.” After his long impressive speech, Sir Benjamin sank back to his seat and someone in the crowd began shouting out saying “Why not call him Big Ben and have done with it?” Then the whole house burst into laughter. And the clock was named Big Ben.

This story is not properly documented, but it has been told from generation to generation and has lived in the hearts of those who stare up the tower to look at the time.