Imagining a Better Future by Re-imagining the Past

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Times Square and the War Years


Since 1907 one of the iconic images of New Years Eve here in the States has been the dropping of the lighted ball in Times Square. Yet there have been times in the 102 year history when the ball didn’t fall.

In 1942 and 1943, during the height of World War II, lighting restrictions prevented the ball from being dropped. The fear was that the light of the ball might make New York an easy target in case of attack. Instead, at midnight the people in the streets stopped and observed a moment of silence, which was followed with the sound of chimes were broadcast by nearby trucks.

Here's wishing everyone a happy and prosperous 2010!

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