Which New Year's Eve event in New York City was suspended during the World War II blackout years 1942 and 1943?

The Times Square ball drop was suspended during the World War II blackout years 1942 and 1943.

During World War II, New York City observed blackout restrictions designed to reduce the visibility of the city to potential enemy aircraft and ships. Bright public displays were therefore not permitted in the usual way, and the illuminated Times Square ball did not descend.

Crowds still gathered in Times Square during those New Year transitions. Instead of the normal ball drop, people observed the moment with a minute of silence, followed by ringing church bells and other sounds of celebration.

The ball drop resumed after the wartime restrictions ended. The episode shows that the tradition is not an uninterrupted annual event from its beginning: the first ball drop was in 1907, but the wartime years created a notable break.