Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London.Big Ben is the largest four-faced chiming clock and the third-tallest free-standing clock tower in the world. The tower is 96.3 metres high.It celebrated its 150th anniversary in May 2009 (the clock itself first ticking on 31 May 1859).The main bell, officially known as the Great Bell, is the largest bell in the tower and part of the Great Clock of Westminster. The bell is better known by the nickname Big Ben.
At the base of each clock face in gilt letters is the Latin inscription:
“DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM”
Which means O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First.
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