Which newspaper organized New York City’s first major Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration in 1904?

The New York Times organized New York City’s first major Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration in 1904.

The newspaper had recently moved its headquarters to the newly named Times Square, then known as Longacre Square. To promote the new building, the Times held a street festival on December 31, 1904, featuring fireworks. The event drew a large crowd and established the square as a central place for the city’s New Year celebrations.

The famous illuminated ball did not appear until 1907, after a city ban on fireworks ended the earlier format. The ball drop therefore followed the first Times Square celebration rather than creating it. The New York Times later transferred responsibility for the event, but the location retained the newspaper’s name.

Today, the Times Square countdown is televised worldwide, while the ball drop remains one of the best-known New Year’s Eve symbols.