Parliament Square, often the site of protests and demonstrations, was created in 1868 by Edward Middleton Barry as an official public square. It formed part of the necessary redesign of the district, since the newly built seat of government, the Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament, lies just across it. The square, home to London's first traffic lights, was redesigned in 1951 during the Festival of Britain, improving traffic flow and pedestrian access for the upcoming gathering of the crowds. On any given day, hundreds of tourists and visitors can be seen around the square, and of course, protests usually end here as well, so you might get caught up in one!