On May 31, 1859, Big Ben, the great bell located in the clock tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, rang out over the city for the first time. The bell is part of a striking and chiming clock set known for its accuracy and massive bell. It has since become an iconic symbol of London and the United Kingdom, as well as a cultural symbol of temporal and parliamentary reliability. The sound of Big Ben chiming has carried through various historical eras, marking the passage of time both literally and metaphorically.
