<P> The event was first organized by Adolph Ochs , owner of The New York Times newspaper , as a successor to a series of New Year 's Eve fireworks displays he held at the building to promote its status as the new headquarters of the Times , while the ball itself was designed by Artkraft Strauss . First held on December 31 , 1907 , to welcome 1908 , the ball drop has been held annually since , except in 1942 and 1943 in observance of wartime blackouts . </P>
<P> The event was first organized by Adolph Ochs , owner of The New York Times newspaper , as a successor to a series of New Year 's Eve fireworks displays he held at the building to promote its status as the new headquarters of the Times , while the ball itself was designed by Artkraft Strauss . First held on December 31 , 1907 , to welcome 1908 , the ball drop has been held annually since , except in 1942 and 1943 in observance of wartime blackouts . </P>
when did times square start dropping the ball
when did times square start dropping the ball
on December 31 , 1907 , to welcome 1908
on December 31 , 1907 , to welcome 1908