Each year, more than one million people gather on Times Square to watch the crystal ball lowering ceremony, marking a new year. From where did the idea of lowering the ball become the highlight of American New Year activities?
The ceremony to lower the crystal ball on New Year's Eve on Times Square in New York City (USA) has been in tradition for more than 100 years.
The first New Year's ritual was held on Times Square in 1904, with the aim of raising the stature of the New York Times' new headquarters, when this long-standing newspaper found a man. location "favorable" to "settle down", that is at the building One Times Square today.
Wanting his move to new headquarters to attract more attention, the editor of the New York Times at that time - Mr. Adolph Ochs - said that New Year's Eve is the best time to party "new house" for news headquater.
So 200,000 people were invited to the front of the One Times Square building, where the newspaper headquarters is located, to spend a year-end party on the streets of Times Square, the event ended with fireworks during the New Year. has points. At this time, the ball of light has not yet appeared.
The sphere on Times Square first appeared in 1907. At that time, the editor of the New York Times - Mr. Adolph Ochs - wanted the annual event of the newspaper to be more brilliant and spectacular, so , he asked the electrical engineer and newspaper design specialist to cooperate.
Inspired by the tradition of lowering the globe, which is often conducted outside the harbor to mark the midday time, it is possible for ships arriving in the United States to change their clock time to match the local time. , people immediately think of a New Year's Eve ceremony.
This tradition is carried out regularly every year, starting in 1907. Only two years did not conduct the lowering ceremony, that is 1942 and 1943.
In the list of the best places to welcome the new year in the world, Times Square always ranks No. 1. According to the travel site - discover National Geographic, Times Square ranks top 10 places to welcome the new year. best of the world.
The eagerness of more than a million people on the square is always considered the most beautiful prism, capturing the eagerness of billions of people around the planet.
Every year, the New Year's event on Times Square is always broadcast live by American channels, attracting hundreds of millions of viewers around the world, many people wish they were there. . That is also the reason why, of the more than one million people present on Times Square, many are foreign tourists.
More than a million people stood together on a square illuminated by neon signs. Times Square is considered the "navel" of New York, a vibrant focus showing the spirit of the city "big apple".
In New Year's Eve, more than a million people are here to witness the crystal ball descend from the roof of the building that used to be the headquarters of the New York Times. In fact, the name "Times Square" (Times Square) was also born from here.
Looking back on the New Year's Eve celebrations on Times Square:
The event to welcome the new year on Times Square began in 1904. The first event attracted about 200,000 attendees.
The first time the ceremony took place was in 1907 after the city temporarily banned fireworks. At this time the ball has 100 light bulbs, made of wood and steel, weighing nearly 320kg. This sphere was used until 1920 when it was replaced.
Over the years, the number of people attending the New Year's event on the square became increasingly crowded. This is the public crowd present on December 31, 1941.
Functional forces were present on Times Square on December 31, 1941.
Although there was no ceremony to lower the bridge in 1942, there were still many people looking for the square, by New Year's Eve, all were silent and the church bell rang.
As television began to become more popular in the 1960s, people began to welcome the New Year in many different venues and still be able to follow what was happening on Times Square. In 1963, the big screens were installed in New York's Grand Central Terminal, more than 3,000 people danced here to welcome the new year, and watched what was happening on Times Square via television.
In 1955, the ball was designed to be thinner, using 68kg of aluminum, controlled "automation", people only need to use one button. In 1996, the globe was "updated" with a computer-controlled light system, fitted with 180 halogen bulbs, 144 flashing lights, and 12,000 quartz crystals. This ball was used until 1998.
Count time.
In 1983, the city began using robots to participate in security on the square.
Globe in 1988
Starting in the 1990s, special guests will be invited to the event to activate the shuttle.
A technical staff prepares for the landing ceremony, taken on 24/12/1997.
Security checks on squares have been tightened since 2001.
Welcoming the new year 2002
Over time, the globe became more and more sophisticated in its design and larger in size.
The orb in the 2009 New Year celebration is equipped with 32,256 LED bulbs.
When cars were banned on Times Square since 2008, people had to use 3-wheelers to carry event equipment.
Rooftop of One Times Square building, where there is a crystal ball. Photo taken on 12/27/2011.
New Year 2012 on Times Square
In 2014, 190 sanitation workers were mobilized to remove 50 tons of garbage from Times Square after the event.
About 2 million people will be present to celebrate the New Year 2020 on Times Square.