Happy New Year’s Eve everyone! Be sure to celebrate responsibly and safely. Heading to a New Year’s party this evening? Check out some fun facts below to break the ice and wow your friends/family with your holiday knowledge.
- The first gathering in Times Square for New Year’s started as a party to celebrate the opening of the New York Times building in 1904. Over 200,000 people attended. The success grew and grew until the Times Square celebration we know today; approximately 1 MILLION people attended in person last year.
- The first ball drop wasn’t until 1907. Prior to the ball drop, fireworks were used. However, they frequently dropped embers on the crowd and were considered too dangerous.
- Instead of a ball drop, Miami, Florida rings in the new year with a rising orange. The raising of Mr. Neon, a 35-foot, sunglass-clad metal fruit, has been a tradition for over 30 years.