Times Square Ball facts for kids
The Times Square Ball is a special time ball that sits on top of the One Times Square building in Times Square, New York City. It's a huge part of the yearly New Year's Eve party held right there in Times Square.
Every year, as the clock gets close to midnight on December 31st, the ball slowly drops down a flagpole. It starts at 11:59 p.m. EST and reaches the bottom exactly at midnight. This exciting moment signals the start of a brand new year!
History of the Times Square Ball
The very first time the ball dropped was on December 31, 1907. Since then, it has been dropped every single year. The only times it didn't drop were in 1942 and 1943. This was during World War II, and the city had to save electricity.
Over the years, the ball's design has changed many times. The ball used today is covered in bright LED lights. It also has many triangle-shaped crystal panels. Since 2009, the ball stays up on the One Times Square building all year long.
A World-Famous Celebration
The Times Square ball drop is one of the most famous New Year's Eve celebrations in the entire world. More than one million people often gather in Times Square to watch the ball drop in person.
Many major television networks also show the ball drop live. One of the most well-known broadcasts is on ABC. This show is called Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest.
The show was hosted by Dick Clark for many years until he passed away in 2012. Ryan Seacrest started hosting the show in 2005-06. He hosted with Dick Clark until Clark's death, and now he hosts it on his own.
Images for kids
-
Spectators celebrate the arrival of 2013.
-
Workers clearing trash from Times Square following the festivities.
-
ABC News' presence at Times Square for ABC 2000 Today
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Bola de Times Square para niños
