New Year's Eve

Celebrated on 12/31/2026

Quick Fact

The tradition of watching the ball drop in Times Square on New Year's Eve began in 1907, and the original ball was made of iron and wood and adorned with 100 light bulbs. Today, the ball is a geodesic sphere covered in 2,688 Waterford crystals and weighs nearly 12,000 pounds.

Origins and Establishment of New Year's Eve

The celebration of New Year's Eve dates back to ancient times, with the earliest recorded festivities occurring in Mesopotamia around 2000 BCE. The Babylonians celebrated the new year during the spring equinox, but the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar established January 1 as the start of the new year in 46 BCE. The modern concept of New Year's Eve as a festive occasion evolved in medieval Europe, where it was often marked by feasting and revelry.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

New Year's Eve celebrations have evolved significantly over the centuries. In the 20th century, the tradition of gathering in public spaces to count down to midnight became popular, with Times Square in New York City becoming the epicenter of these festivities. The famous ball drop began in 1907, and the celebration has since been broadcast globally. Today, New Year's Eve is celebrated with fireworks, parties, and various cultural traditions, such as eating black-eyed peas for luck in the southern United States or making resolutions for the coming year.

Facts & General Observations

• Approximately 1 million people gather in Times Square each year to watch the ball drop, and over 1 billion people worldwide watch the event on television.
• The most popular New Year's resolution is to exercise more, followed by losing weight and saving money.
• The island nation of Kiribati is the first to enter the new year, while Baker Island (an uninhabited US territory) is the last.

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