Time balls date back to the early 19th century, when they signaled the time to passing sailors. Now they’re part of the pomp and circumstance of the new year

As NYC prepares for the 2025 New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square, here's a look at how the holiday tradition got started.

Watching a huge ball descend down a pole in Times Square has been a beloved New Year's Eve tradition for over a century. Here's how the spectacle started and what's changed over the years.