In which city did the modern New Year's Eve ball-drop tradition begin in 1907?
Answer
New York City
The modern New Year's Eve ball-drop tradition began in New York City in 1907.
The first Times Square ball descended on December 31, 1907, to welcome 1908. It was created after New York officials had prohibited fireworks at the nearby New York Times building, whose opening celebrations had helped make the area a major gathering place.
The original ball was made of iron and wood, decorated with electric lights, and measured about five feet across. The device was lowered from a flagpole by a team at midnight, establishing the basic ritual used today.
The ball has been redesigned several times as technology and safety requirements changed. The ceremony was suspended during World War II blackouts in 1942 and 1943, when crowds observed a moment of silence instead.