Big Ben To Lead Ringing Of Bells Marking End Of World War One

The UK Parliament authorities said on Thursday that, despite ongoing essential conservation works, the Elizabeth Tower's world famous Great Bell, better known as Big Ben, will strike on Sunday to commemorate those that died in the two world wars and later conflicts, Xinhua reported.

At precisely 11.00 GMT, Big Ben will sound 11 times, with a strike rate of 4.5 seconds, replicating the usual strike rate of the Great Clock. At 12.30, Big Ben will strike a further 11 times, joining bells across Britain and worldwide to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice, marking the end of the war in 1918.

Installed in 1885, the historic lamp was turned off during both world wars.

That forms part of as a British government programme for bells across the country to ring out in thanksgiving for the end of the war one hundred years ago.

A spokesperson at the Houses of Parliament said only Big Ben itself will strike, not the quarter bells which usually produce the 16 musical notes of the Westminster Chimes.

The Elizabeth Tower, one of London's most photographed attractions, is currently undergoing a complex program of conservation works to safeguard the 159-year-old iconic clock for generations to come.

Located above the Great Bell known as Big Ben, the Ayrton Light is switched on in the evening whenever Parliament is sitting.?

Meanwhile,?French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday kicks off a week of commemorations for the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, which is set to mix remembrance of the past and warnings about the present surge in nationalism around the globe.

(IANS)