Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London[1] and is usually extended to refer to both the clock and the clock tower as well.[2][3] The tower is officially known as Elizabeth Tower, renamed to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012; previously, it was known simply as the Clock Tower. When completed in 1859, it was, says clockmaker Ian Westworth, ââ¬Åthe prince of timekeepers: the biggest, most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world.ââ¬Â[4] The tower had its 150th anniversary on 31 May 2009,[5] during which celebratory events took place.[6][7] A British cultural icon, the tower is one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom and is often in the establishing shot of films set in London.[8] On 21 August 2017, the tower began a four-year period of renovation.[9][10][11] With a few exceptions,[10][11] the tower`s renowned bells will be silent until the renovation is complete
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