New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is the last day of the calendar year, or December 31 in the Gregorian calendar. Since most of the world uses this calendar, New Year's Eve is celebrated around the globe.

Celebrations on this night typically include going to parties or gathering in public places. One of the most famous gatherings occurs at Times Square in New York City. At 11:59:00 p.m., a six-foot shimmering ball (actually an apple) is lowered 70 feet in sixty seconds. When the apple reaches it destination at midnight, bells ring, confetti is tossed, and everyone shouts "Happy New Year!" This tradition began in 1907 after New York City outlawed firecrackers for New Year's Eve. The lowering of the ball is followed by the singing of Auld Lang Syne and drinking a toast to the new year.

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