The famous New Year’s Eve ball drop takes place in Times Square, New York City.
The tradition began on December 31, 1907, when the first illuminated ball was lowered from the flagpole atop One Times Square. The event was created by newspaper publisher Adolph Ochs as a replacement for fireworks, which city officials had banned from the celebration.
The ball has changed dramatically over time. Early versions were made from iron and wood and were lit with incandescent bulbs. Modern versions use Waterford Crystal panels and LED lighting, and the current ball is far larger and heavier than the original.
The ceremony attracts hundreds of thousands of people in person and is watched by millions more through television and online broadcasts. A common mix-up is calling the event the “New York ball drop”; the official landmark associated with it is Times Square.