"For 92 years, Times Square has the been the center of worldwide attention on New Year's Eve, beginning in 1904 when the owners
of One Times Square began conducting roof-top celebrations to usher in the New Year. Since 1907 -- the year of the first Ball
Lowering celebration -- this tradition, initiated by The New York Times, has maintained its purity. Now attracting 500,000 people to
Times Square and seen by 300 milli""on television viewers worldwide, the famous Ball Lowering celebration has become a universal
symbol of welcoming the New Year."
Facts about the ball
"The aluminum ball, weighing more than 500 pounds and six feet in
diameter is made of
a Fog Machine (creates mist to make it easier to see the laser and xenon
lights)
"The first Tournament of Roses® was staged in 1890 by members of Pasadena's
Valley Hunt Club, former residents of the East and Midwest eager to showcase
their new home's mild winter weather. "In New York, people are buried in snow,"
announced Professor Charles F. Holder at a Club meeting. 'Here our flowers are
blooming and our oranges are about to bear. Let's hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise.'
The abundance of flowers prompted Professor Holder to suggest 'Tournament of Roses' as a suitable name for the festival. "
Looking Ahead and Back