What date was the first Times Square Ball Drop held in New York City?

The first Times Square Ball Drop was held on December 31, 1907, welcoming the year 1908.

The event was organized at One Times Square by The New York Times. The newspaper had moved into its new headquarters and promoted a New Year's celebration there. After fireworks were restricted, the paper's chief electrician, Walter Palmer, helped create a large illuminated ball that could be lowered down the building's flagpole.

The original ball was made of iron and wood, measured about five feet in diameter, and was illuminated with electric lights. Thousands of spectators watched the first descent, establishing a tradition that has continued with occasional interruptions and changes.

The ball was not dropped from the building; it was lowered in a controlled descent. This distinction explains the event's familiar name while also describing how the mechanism actually works. Later balls became larger, brighter, and more technologically sophisticated.