A timeline of Big Ben’s history
By APFriday, May 29, 2009
A timeline of Big Ben’s history
Highlights of Big Ben’s history.
Late 1200s — Before Big Ben there was “Great Tom,” which rang in the hours at a tower in Westminster. After the decaying tower was razed in the late 17th century, Great Tom was sold to St. Paul’s Cathedral, where it can still be heard.
Oct. 16, 1834 — A fire destroys Westminster Palace, the home of Britain’s Parliament. Charles Berry’s neo-Gothic design with clock tower wins a competition for a new building.
June 22, 1846 — Britain’s chief astronomer sets conditions for the clock, including that it be accurate to within a second — something many clockmakers say is impossible. After eight years of wrangling, the clock mechanism is completed.
August 6, 1856 — Big Ben, the large bell, is cast in northern England and is almost lost in stormy seas as it is shipped to London.
Oct. 17, 1857 — The bell cracks during testing and has to be broken up and recast. The new one is raised to the belfry almost exactly one year later.
May 31, 1859 — The clock officially starts keeping time. Big Ben starts tolling a few days later, but cracks again within months and is out of service until 1862.
1916 — The clock is silenced for two years of World War I lest it attract German Zeppelins toward Parliament.
Feb. 17, 1924 — The BBC begins regular broadcasts of Big Ben’s bongs. On rare occasions when the bell is being repaired or inspected, Great Tom takes over.
Sept. 1, 1939 — The clock’s lights are extinguished at the outbreak of World War II.
May 10, 1941 — German bombing wrecks Parliament, damages the clock tower. However, the clock still keeps excellent time.
August 5, 1976 — The clock suffers major mechanical failure. The damage is fully repaired within a year.
May 31, 2009 — Big Ben celebrates its 150th anniversary.
Source: “Big Ben: The Bell, The Clock and The Tower,” by Peter MacDonald.
