This just may be THE most iconic of New Year’s Celebrations

The history behind the iconic ball drop in Times Square, New York.

StockSnap / Pixabay

1904 began a tradition that the world still looks to and watches on television or in person; the iconic ball drop in Times Square, New York. The New York Times built a new building and called the area outside of it, Times Square. Previous to the year 1904 New Year’s celebration was held at Trinity Church near Wall Street. Though the Pastors didn’t adore hosting this festive party every year since people would show up drunk which was not very Christian. When the New York Times stated that they would like to host the New Year’s Party the church was THRILLED and glad to hand the reigns over. Since then the party has been held at Times Square.

Though the tradition of the ball drop didn’t begin till a year later. The first year celebrating the New Year with fireworks, though quickly learning the ash from the explosions burned attendees below. Engineers put their brains together and decided to use the new invention of electricity to light the city. The first ball weighed over 700 pounds and had 125 lightbulbs on it. This became a lighthouse in the middle of Times Square since the New York Times building was the tallest in the city at the time. There were only two years the ball did not drop, though this was voluntary. In 1942 and 1943 the ball didn’t drop for fear that German U-boats would see New York, this is when they rang bells instead; giving the saying of ringing in the New Year.

Since then the ball has changed many times, it is currently 12 feet in diameter and weight 11,875 pounds. The ball has also changed from the original lightbulbs to being covered in 2,688 Waterford Crystals that light up the night sky when light is shined on them. No matter where in the world you may be, I am sure you will watch the ball drop and now you know where it came from. If you are staying at My Vacations Rentals in New York, make your way to Times Square to watch this tradition in person. Though make sure you get there EXTRA early as people start filling the square up to 24 hours in advance.