The history behind the New Year's Eve ball drop ceremony
Fox News
The Times Square "ball drop" on New Year's Eve has been an annual tradition for over a century in New York City. Roughly one million people gather to count down to the ceremonial event.
Holding a ceremonial ball drop to signify a specific moment in time actually dates back to the early 19th century. A time-ball was installed at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, in 1833, according to the Times Square official website. The ball would drop every day at 1 o’clock, allowing nearby boats to synchronize their timing instruments. Best believe I’m still bejeweled, when I walk in the room...I can still make the whole place shimmer ✨ The NYE Ball is bejeweled for 2023! 🪩 The new #Waterford Crystals were installed featuring this year’s design: "The Gift of Love" ❤️#TimesSquare #NewYearsEveBall #BallDrop pic.twitter.com/aMlGER7BGe Michael Hollan is an associate lifestyle editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent on Twitter: @M_Hollan
These time balls soon become common at naval academies and observatories and eventually made their way to the United States, according to the site.
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