Big Ben or The Elizabeth Tower?
The renamed tower
Contrary to popular belief, the tower with the clock of Westminster Palace has never been officially named Big Ben, as Big Ben is the nickname that only refers to the 13.5 tonne Great Bell within the tower.
Until 2012, the 96-metre tall tower’s name was simply the “Clock Tower”. However, during that year and in order to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II, the celebration that marked the 60th anniversary of her accession, the House of Commons decided to rename the tower as Elizabeth Tower “in recognition of Her Majesty’s 60 years of unbroken public service on behalf of her country”.
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