The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
by Larry Habegger
The Houses of Parliament, more widely known as Westminster Palace, is the preeminent symbol of London with its famous clock tower and “Big Ben” bell. Originally erected a thousand years ago, its primary function was as a royal residence. Today, Westminster Palace serves several roles, including acting as the location where the United Kingdom’s House of Lords and House of Commons meet to conduct business.
Business, in this building, has taken place under the best and worst circumstances imaginable. For instance, in World War I, as Members of Parliament were meeting, the first zeppelin raid on London took place. The Members interrupted their discussion to run outside to watch the raid. Upon returning inside, in true understated English-style, the hall was greeted by the never-to-be-uttered-again words, “As I was saying, Mr. Speaker, when our debate was interrupted by the zeppelin raid …”
