Download or read book Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower: the History of the Famous English Landmark written by Charles River Charles River Editors and published by . This book was released on 2016-01-12 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: *Includes pictures*Includes physical descriptions of the both the tower and bell*Includes online resources for further reading*Includes a table of contentsBig Ben is one of the most recognizable symbols of Britain, and indeed one of the most famous structures in the world. A quintessential part of London, every movie set in London features an establishing shot of Big Ben, and many guidebooks of London have the clock tower as its cover photo. London and Big Ben are forever linked in the consciousness of the Western world.As it turns out, now is the time to admire and learn about Big Ben, because some believe it is likely to fall over. Since 2012, several sources have reported about the cracks appearing in walls all over the Palace of Westminster. This building houses Parliament and the House of Lords, which comprise the legislative bodies of the British Government. The building has stood in the same location since 1288, although it has not always been the same building. The palace and the tower have gone through renovation, rebuilding, fire, and more rebuilding, over the course of the last 720 years.During the Battle of Britain in the Second World War, the clock tower was the only part of Westminster Palace to merely sustain superficial damage, but as the Luftwaffe pummeled away at the city and the country, the chimes became a symbol of the resilience of the British people. While the chimes have been stopped in the past due to mechanical error, the enemy was never able to silence Big Ben. This was a big part of the reason that England and the world continue to attach such significance to this clock tower.Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower: The History of the Famous English Landmark is a handy guide for those people who want to learn more about Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower (which was so named in 2012 after the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, which marked 60 years on the throne for the monarch. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Big Ben like never before, in no time at all.