According to the Empire State Building's history, New York City hosted the first New Year's Eve celebration in a major modern skyscraper.
The Empire State Building opened in 1931 in Midtown Manhattan and quickly became an important part of New York's skyline. Its observation areas and illuminated upper stories made it a prominent symbol during public celebrations, including New Year's Eve.
The building's New Year's lighting is separate from the Times Square Ball Drop, which takes place several blocks away at One Times Square. The Empire State Building is often illuminated in colors chosen for holidays, civic occasions, sports teams, or charitable causes, while the Times Square event centers on a descending ball.
This distinction matters because both landmarks appear in New Year's images of Manhattan. The Empire State Building is a skyscraper and lighting landmark; One Times Square is the site associated with the ball drop. Their celebrations are related by location but are not the same event.