True Life Tuesday: New Year's Eve in Times Square

 

With New Year's Eve just around the corner I thought this would be a good time to research the history of the ball drop in Times Square.

The first Times Square celebration took place on December 31, 1904. It was organized by Adolph Oahe who owned the New York Times. He wanted to commemorate the papers move to their new headquarters. 

The first ball drop occurred on December 31, 1907. The ball was made from wool and iron and contained 100 incandescent light bulbs. Also, waiters at fancy restaurants near the ball drop were given hats with 1908 in lights on them which they turned on at midnight. 

The ball drop has occurred every year since with the exceptions of 1942 and 1943. This was due to wartime light restrictions in the city. However, in those years people still congregated in Times Square to celebrate.