December 31st, Times Square.

31st December is undoubtedly the most electrifying day of the year, and one of the most surreal New Year's Eve experiences world-over is witnessed at none but Times Square, New York City.

It was way back in 1904 when New York saw two of its most historic innovations - the opening of the city's first subway line, and the first-ever celebration of New Year's Eve in Times Square.

Owner of The New York Times then, Alfred Ochs, spared no expenses in ensuring a party for the ages. On this day, scenes of celebration went on throughout the day, and at the stroke of midnight, a scintillating firework display set off from the base of the tower accompanied by a loud roar of joyful cheers from the 200,000 attendees that could be heard, it was believed, from as far as 30 miles away! This extravaganza was such a rousing success that in no time it captured the imagination of not just the nation, but the whole world

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However, in 1907 the city banned the firework display. Yet, Ochs wasn't planning to back down - he arranged to have a large, illuminated 700-pound iron and wood ball lowered from the tower flagpole precisely at midnight to signal the end of 1907. And more than a century later, this tradition stands strong.

The ball's design has changed 6 times since its inception, and the latest design has kept pace with the world, weighing 11,875 pounds.

Yet still after a grand day of celebration, on 31st December at 11:59 pm each year, millions of eyes from all over the world gaze with bated breath at this symbolic Crystal Ball as it begins its descent, and in a united voice count down the final seconds of the year to commemorate together the start of a new year, a new beginning...