Explore the history of the iconic Times Square ball drop, from its humble beginnings in 1907 to its evolution into a global New Year's Eve spectacle.
Revelers celebrate the new year on Jan. 1, 1942, in Times Square . Its New Year's Eve ball drop attracts millions of viewers — at home and in the streets of New York City — every year. On the evening of Dec. 31, as in many years past, millions of people around the world will stop what they're doing to watch a 12-foot, 11,875-pound crystal ball slowly descend a New York City flagpole to announce the start of a new year.
The Times Square ball drop has been a fixture of New Year's Eve since 1907, when the original wood and iron orb made its maiden journey. It remains a beloved tradition over a century and half a dozen ball redesigns later. The storied ball has been lowered every year — except 1942 and 1943, due to lighting restrictions during World War II (which didn't stop crowds from gathering in Times Square).The New Year's Eve celebration has grown to include a long roster of musical performances and corporate sponsorships, with onlookers returning to the streets in growing numbers after the COVID-19 But the Big Apple's big crystal ball has managed to stay at the center of it all. Here's a look at how the spectacle came about and how it's evolved over the years.New Yorkers have celebrated New Year's in Times Square — the bustling intersection of Seventh Avenue, 42nd Street, and Broadway in Midtown Manhattan — since it got its name in 1904.moved its headquarters to the new Times Building (now known as One Times Square). The paper's owner, Adolph Ochs, successfully lobbied the city to rename the area, previously known as Longacre Square.' throwing a New Year's Eve celebration to commemorate the headquarters' opening, with an all-day street festival and extravagant fireworks display. The party was a smashing success, cementing Times Square's status as the place to ring in the new year. But two years later, the city banned the fireworks displa
New Year's Eve Times Square Ball Drop Tradition History
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