Britsh Parliament’s clock tower, famously known as “Big Ben” to the world, will be renamed Elizabeth Tower in honor of the Queen’s diamond jubilee. The name change comes after a campaign by dozens of MPs to change the official name from “Clock Tower”, to honor Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne.
Technically, Big Ben is the name of the bell that sits at the top of Clock Tower, and was named for the Benjamin Hall, an engineer who’s name is inscribed on the bell. The 316 foot tower is one of London’s most well-known landmarks.
“The House of Commons Commission welcomed the proposal to rename the Clock Tower Elizabeth Tower in recognition of HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and will arrange for this decision to be implemented in an appropriate manner in due course,” a spokesman said to AFP.
MPs realize that the colloquial term “Big Ben” will likely still be used, but wanted to honor the second queen to reach her diamond jubilee. Queen Victoria, who celebrated her diamond jubilee in 1897, lends her name to the tower at the west end of parliament.
[source: AFP]