The first Times Square New Year’s Eve ball was lowered in 1907.
The event was created to mark the arrival of 1908 in New York City. The inaugural ball was built from iron and wood, decorated with electric lights, and lowered from a flagpole atop One Times Square. Newspapers reported that thousands gathered to watch it descend.
The ball-drop tradition replaced earlier fireworks displays at the same location. The event continued, with interruptions during World War II in 1942 and 1943, when New York observed a dimmed celebration because of wartime blackout rules.
The modern ball is much more elaborate than the original. It is covered with illuminated crystal panels and is lowered during the final minute of December 31. The ball drop is sometimes confused with the separate New Year’s Eve concerts and performances held in Times Square.