DAY 1: The Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords,the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It may look new, but it is VERY old, in fact part of it was constructed in 1100! It is located on the Thames River and gets its name from Westminster Abbey which is just across the street. If you take the subway in London and get off at Westminster, you are in close walking distance of both. The Palace of Westminster has the Victoria Tower on one end and Big Ben on the other. Even the bridge going over the river is called Westminster Bridge.
DAY 2: Monet painted this beautiful parliament building in many different times of day and different weather conditions.
DAY 3: Where are you? Look at this photo and locate Westminster Abbey. Can you find the Victoria Tower and Big Ben? The Parliament in the United Kingdom has two houses --much like we have the Senate and the House of Representatives in Washington D.C.. The House of Lords is on the end by Big Ben. To be elected to this body you must have some type of royal title, such as Lord, Earl, Duke, Dutchess, etc. The House of Commons is on the end by the Elizabeth Tower; they are elected by everyone and represent the common people. It is said that today, the House of Commons is where most of the important laws are made.
The House of Lords
The House of Commons
DAY 4: Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the dock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London and often extended to refer to the clock and the clock tower.
The tower is officially known as the Elizabeth Tower, renamed as such to celebrate the Diamond Jubiliee of Elizabeth II (prior to being renamed in 2012 it was known as simply "Clock Tower"). The tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest free standing clock tower. The tower was completed in 1858 and had its 150th anniversary on 31 May 2009, during which celebratory events took place. The tower has become one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom and is often in seen in many films set in London.
DAY 5: Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster --image of her coronation in Westminster Abbey, attending the wedding of Kate and William, attending a session at the House of Lords --however, most of the time these days she can most often be found in one of her three main palaces: Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, or Balmoral in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The Queen going into the House of LORDS
The Queen has many palaces!
Buckingham Palace - London
Windsor Castle outside London
Balmoral in Scotland
The Westminster Palace is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, however there are other countries that have beautiful government buildings as well! Brussels, Belgium; Rathaus, Vienna, Austria; Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest; U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.
