Since 1904 People have been celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square, but the first Ball Drop didn't happen until 1907. Since 1907, the ball has been dropped from One Times Square every year, except in 1942 and 1943 due to wartime restrictions on lighting in New York City.
The countdown is on for the big ball to drop in Times Square. Arrangements are happening for the massive New Year's Eve party.
The big ball weighs almost 12,00 pounds and is fair about 2,500 Waterford Crystals. The 70-foot ball will begin its descent at 11:59 p.m. to the chants of revelers counting down the final seconds of 2011.
New York Police Department will have lot of extra cops, lot of radiation detectors and a fleet of helicopters on duty. Security will be juiced up.
In addition to Times Square being completely closed to traffic, there will be several other street closures in the area. People are urged to take mass transit. On street parking will also be very limited in Midtown.