Big Ben was meant to toll to mark the beginning of the National Moment of Reflection at 8pm today and the bell was supposed to strike once to mark the start of the minute's silence and once more
2. Big Ben is big. Here are a few other facts about Big Ben that will tickle your mind: The bell weighs 13.7 tons, which is about twice the weight of a T-Rex! Its diameter is at 8.9 feet, while the hammer inside the bell weighs 441 pounds. Meanwhile, there are four clocks on the tower, one on each side of it. How does a Westminster chime clock work? The full hour chime is followed by one strike for the number of the hour by Big Ben (E 3) (one strike for one oโ clock, two strikes for two oโ clock, and so on).How heavy is Big Ben bell? The Big Ben bell has the following measurements: 9'-0" diameter, 7'-6" high, and weighs 13 tons 10 cwts 3 qtrs 15lbs (13,760 Kg) When can we hear the bell ring? Big Ben chimes every 15 minutes and the sound can be heard for a radius of up to 5 miles. Quick Facts about Big Ben. Big Ben is the world's largest four-facedBig Ben remains silent with the largest quarter bell striking the hourly chime. 1863: At the suggestion of Sir George Airy, the Astronomer Royal, Big Ben is turned 90 degrees and the hammer size reduced, allowing Big Ben to strike the hours once more. 1923: BBC Radio first broadcast s Big Ben's chimes to the United Kingdom on New Year's Eve. Big Ben in U.K. ceases to "bong" as famed clock stops working twice in one week. The clock failed to chime for the first time on May 10 and on Wednesday this week, with all hands freezing for