New Year’s Traditions: Times Square Ball Drop
Among the various New Year’s traditions celebrated, the Times Square Ball Drop is primarily anticipated, with people waiting for more than ten hours to be present when the ball drops. The event and performances are broadcast on TV on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.” This year, Ryan Seacrest, who has hosted for nineteen years since 2012, was joined by Rita Ora as a co-host. The performers this year were AGNEW, Flo Rida along with Sage the Gemini, Jelly Roll, LL Cool J, Maria Becerra, Megan Thee Stallion, Sabrina Carpenter,
Triad Brass, Tyla, and Yng Lvcas.
The first ball drop occurred in 1907 and was skipped in 1942 and 1943 during the Second World War, and it celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007. However, its history started in 1903 when Adolph Ochs, the owner of The New York Times, wanted to celebrate the opening of the new headquarters in Times Square with fireworks on the roof. In 1907, Adolph Ochs sent for an iron ball with a five feet diameter to be constructed. Built by Jacob Starr, the ball was dropped from a flagpole on the roof of One Times Square. There have been seven iterations of the Times Square Ball. The latest, made by Waterford Crystal, has a diameter of twelve feet and weighs 11,875 pounds. It is covered with 2,688 crystals, has 32,256 LED and 672 LED modules, and remains in One Times Square the whole year.
As we return to school here at The Scribe, we hope you had a fantastic break and wish everyone a prosperous and happy new year—cheers to a fresh start and a year filled with unforgettable moments.