the first ball dropped at times square on new year's eve.
when did the first ball drop at times square?
new year's eve
on december 31, 1907, a ball signifying new year's day was first dropped at times square, and the square has held the main new year's celebration in new york city ever since. on that night, hundreds of thousands of people congregate to watch the waterford crystal ball being lowered on a pole atop the building, marking the start of the new year. it replaced a lavish fireworks display from the top of the building that was held from 1904 to 1906, but stopped by city officials because of the danger of fire. beginning in 1908, and for more than eighty years thereafter, times square sign maker artkraft strauss was responsible for the ball-lowering. during world war ii, a minute of silence, followed by a recording of church bells pealing, replaced the ball drop because of wartime blackout restrictions. today, countdown entertainment and one times square handle the new year's eve event in conjunction with the times square alliance.
times square
times square ball





























the times square ball is a time ball located in new york city's times square. located on the roof of one times square, the ball is a prominent part of a new year's eve celebration in times square commonly referred to as the ball drop, where the ball descends in 60 seconds down a specially designed flagpole, beginning at 11:59:00 p.m. et, and resting at midnight to signal the start of the new year. in recent years, the festivities have been preceded by live entertainment, including performances by musicians.
times square ball