What landmark descends at midnight during New York City's annual Times Square New Year's Eve celebration?

The Times Square Ball descends at midnight during New York City's annual Times Square New Year's Eve celebration.

The illuminated ball is lowered from One Times Square during the final minute of December 31. Its descent ends precisely at midnight, when the new calendar year begins. The tradition developed from a nautical time-ball idea: visible balls were once dropped at set times to help ships and observatories synchronize clocks.

The first Times Square ball was used for the 1908 New Year. It was comparatively small and made from iron and wood. The current design, introduced for the 2000 celebration, is covered with Waterford crystal triangles and is far larger than the original. Its lighting system can display millions of colors.

A common mix-up is calling the building itself the ball. One Times Square is the tower from which the ball descends; the ball is the illuminated object suspended above the crowd. The event is officially organized by the Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment.