Full History Of Times Square In Timeline From 1904

April 8, 1904: First Electric Sign in Times Square

Just three weeks after Times Square got its new name, the first electrified advertisement illuminated the area, marking a pivotal moment in the history of Times Square's iconic signage.

1904: Times Square is Named

Longacre Square was renamed "Times Square" in 1904 after the New York Times moved its headquarters to the newly built Times Building in the square.

1904: First New Year's Eve Fireworks Display

Times Square's New Year's Eve celebrations began in 1904 with an extravagant fireworks show launched from the top of One Times Square, a tradition that lasted until 1906.

1906: End of Fireworks, Beginning of Ball Drop Tradition

Due to fire hazards, the tradition of New Year's Eve fireworks display in Times Square ended in 1906, paving the way for the iconic ball drop ceremony.

December 31, 1907: First New Year's Eve Ball Drop

The inaugural New Year's Eve ball drop took place in Times Square, drawing a large crowd and marking the beginning of a beloved annual tradition.

1908: Artkraft Strauss Takes Over Ball Drop

Starting in 1908, Artkraft Strauss, a renowned Times Square sign maker, assumed the responsibility of managing the New Year's Eve ball drop, a role they held for over eight decades.

1910: American Horse Exchange Becomes Winter Garden Theatre

The American Horse Exchange, a prominent feature of Longacre Square, was transformed into the Winter Garden Theatre in 1910.

1911: Winter Garden Theatre Constructed

The Winter Garden Theatre, built on the site of the former Horse Exchange, was constructed in 1911.

1913: Lincoln Highway Eastern Terminus

The Lincoln Highway Association designated the intersection of 42nd Street and Broadway as the eastern terminus of the Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental road across the United States, in 1913.

1913: New York Times Moves Offices

The New York Times relocated to a larger office space a block west of Times Square in 1913.

1923: Fritz Lang Inspired by Times Square

Filmmaker Fritz Lang visited Times Square in 1923, drawing inspiration from its vibrant and bustling atmosphere for his iconic film "Metropolis."

May 1937: Duffy Statue Dedicated

A statue by Charles Keck, serving as a memorial to Father Duffy, was dedicated in May 1937.

June 1939: Duffy Square Dedicated

The northern triangle of Times Square was officially named Duffy Square in June 1939, honoring World War I chaplain Father Francis P. Duffy.

1942: Ball Drop on Hiatus

Due to wartime lighting restrictions during World War II, the traditional New Year's Eve ball drop was put on hold in 1942.

1943: Ball Drop Still on Hiatus

The New Year's Eve ball drop remained on hold in 1943 due to ongoing wartime lighting restrictions.

May 8, 1945: Victory in Europe Day Celebrated

Times Square witnessed a massive celebration on May 8, 1945, as crowds gathered to mark Victory in Europe Day.

August 15, 1945: Victory over Japan Day Celebrated

The largest crowd in Times Square's history, estimated at two million people, assembled to celebrate Victory over Japan Day on August 15, 1945.

August 1945: End of World War II Celebrations

In August 1945, Times Square became the epicenter of massive celebrations marking the end of World War II, drawing enormous crowds to the area.

1960: 42nd Street Declines

By 1960, the area around 42nd Street began experiencing a decline, with concerns about crime and seediness arising.

1961: New York Times Sells Old Building

The New York Times sold their former headquarters building in 1961.

1963: Old Times Building Renamed

The former New York Times Building was renamed the Allied Chemical Building in 1963.

1969: Times Square in "Midnight Cowboy"

The gritty and seedy side of Times Square was prominently featured in the 1969 film "Midnight Cowboy," portraying the area's social landscape during that era.

1971: Times Square in "Born to Win"

In 1971, the film "Born to Win" continued to showcase Times Square's reputation for seediness, further cementing its image as a place of urban decay in popular culture.

June 1973: TKTS Booth Opens

The TKTS discount ticket booth, offering same-day Broadway and off-Broadway tickets, opened in Times Square in June 1973.

1976: Times Square in "Taxi Driver"

The 1976 film "Taxi Driver" further cemented Times Square's association with urban blight, using the area's gritty atmosphere to enhance the film's themes.

1980: Times Square in "Times Square"

The 1980 film "Times Square" used the area as its backdrop, capturing its gritty atmosphere and featuring a punk rock/new wave soundtrack that reflected the era's cultural landscape.

1981: 42nd Street Called "Sleaziest Block in America"

An article in Rolling Stone magazine labeled 42nd Street in Times Square as the "sleaziest block in America" in 1981.

1981: Redevelopment Plan Proposed

The Empire State Development Corporation put forward a proposal in 1981 to redevelop the area surrounding a section of West 42nd Street.

1982: West Midtown Special Zoning District Created

The establishment of the West Midtown special zoning district in 1982 by the New York City government allowed for the development of new buildings in Times Square with an increased floor area ratio.

1984: Low Property Taxes Reflect Decline

The Times Square area faced significant challenges in 1984, with the extent of its decline reflected in the remarkably low property taxes collected, amounting to only $6 million.

1984: High Crime Rates

The area surrounding Times Square grappled with high crime rates, with the block of 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues recording 2,300 crimes in 1984.

1986: Prudential Joins Redevelopment Project

Prudential Insurance Company of America became a partner in the West 42nd Street redevelopment project in 1986.

1986: New Building Regulations Considered

The New York City Planning Commission explored the implementation of regulations that would mandate bright signage and setbacks for new constructions in Times Square in 1986.

1987: Zoning Ordinance Mandates Illuminated Signs

In 1987, zoning ordinances mandated building owners in Times Square to display illuminated signs.

1987: Planning Regulation Adopted

The New York City Planning Commission formally adopted a planning regulation in 1987, requiring new large-scale developments in Times Square to allocate a portion of their space for entertainment purposes and incorporate prominent signage.

1990: New York State Takes Control of Times Square Theaters

In 1990, the State of New York took possession of six theaters on 42nd Street and appointed the New 42nd Street non-profit to oversee their restoration and maintenance.

1992: Prudential and Park Tower Postpone Development

Opposition to proposed towers and difficulty securing tenants led to Prudential and Park Tower postponing their Times Square project in 1992. In exchange for a delay until 2002, they were required to make improvements to existing buildings.

1992: Times Square Alliance Begins Operations

The Times Square Alliance, aimed at improving commerce and cleanliness, began operating in the area in 1992.

1992: Bertelsmann Purchases 1540 Broadway

The entertainment conglomerate Bertelsmann acquired the building at 1540 Broadway in 1992, signaling a potential turning point in the revitalization of Times Square.

1992: Introduction of Biodegradable Confetti

The year 1992 marked the beginning of a new tradition in Times Square's New Year's Eve festivities—the dropping of 3,000 pounds of biodegradable confetti at midnight.

1993: Morgan Stanley Purchases 1585 Broadway

Financial firm Morgan Stanley's purchase of the property at 1585 Broadway in 1993 further contributed to the momentum of Times Square's revival.

1993: Signage Ordinance Implemented as Part of Revitalization

The signage ordinance in Times Square, requiring illuminated signs, was implemented in 1993 as part of Governor Mario Cuomo's revitalization program.

1994: Morgan Stanley Purchases 750 Seventh Avenue

Morgan Stanley's acquisition of 750 Seventh Avenue in 1994 solidified the trend of major financial institutions investing in Times Square, bolstering its resurgence.

1996: Changes in Ownership and Development at Times Square

Prudential and Klein dissolved their partnership, and Douglas Durst acquired a site on 42nd Street in 1996.

1998: Klein, Blackstone, and Boston Properties Acquire Sites

A joint venture of Klein, The Blackstone Group, and Boston Properties acquired sites at 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue in 1998.

1998: Times Square in "Godzilla"

In the 1998 film "Godzilla," Times Square is depicted as a battleground when the monstrous creature wreaks havoc on the city, showcasing the area's vulnerability to large-scale destruction.

1998: Times Square Tourist Information Center Opens

The Times Square Alliance opened a tourist information center in the former Embassy Theatre in 1998.

December 31, 1999: Millennium Celebration in Times Square

On December 31, 1999, Times Square witnessed an unprecedented turnout of approximately two million people for the millennium celebration, marking the largest gathering in the area since the end of World War II in August 1945.

2001: 3 Times Square Opens

Reuters, with development partner Rudin Management, completed 3 Times Square in 2001.

2002: 5 Times Square Opens

5 Times Square, on the southwest corner of 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue, was completed in 2002.

2002: Bloomberg's Inauguration at Times Square

Michael Bloomberg was sworn in as mayor of New York City at Times Square on January 1, 2002, as part of the New Year's celebration.

2002: Times Square in "Spider-Man"

The 2002 superhero film "Spider-Man" features Times Square during a vibrant festival scene, highlighting the area's energy and spectacle.

2002: "Mind Over Madness" Yoga Event Begins

The annual "Mind Over Madness" mass yoga event, marking the summer solstice, began in Times Square in 2002.

2004: Times Square Tower Opens

Times Square Tower, on the southeast corner of 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue, opened in 2004.

December 4, 2008: Times Square's First Eco-Friendly Billboard Lit

Times Square's first environmentally friendly billboard, powered by wind and solar energy, was illuminated on December 4, 2008.

2008: Debut of the Energy-Efficient LED Ball

In 2008, a new era dawned for the Times Square ball drop as a more sustainable and dazzling energy-efficient LED ball was introduced, commemorating the centennial of the tradition.

February 26, 2009: Traffic Lanes on Broadway to be Transformed into Pedestrian Plazas

Mayor Bloomberg announced the closure of traffic lanes on Broadway from 42nd to 47th Street to create pedestrian plazas, starting Memorial Day 2009.

August 14, 2009: Temporary Seating in Times Square Plaza Removed

The initial multicolored plastic lawn chairs used as temporary seating in the Times Square plaza were removed on August 14, 2009.

2009: Times Square Valentine's Day Heart Tradition Starts

The tradition of the Times Square Valentine's Day heart began in 2009, with a design by architect Mark Foster Gage.

February 11, 2010: Times Square Pedestrian Plazas Made Permanent

Mayor Bloomberg announced that the pedestrian plazas in Times Square would become permanent on February 11, 2010.

2010: Reconstruction of Times Square Plaza Begins

Reconstruction of the Times Square plaza, with granite pavers and benches, began in 2010.

February 2011: Times Square Becomes Smoke-Free

In February 2011, New York City extended its outdoor smoking ban to Times Square.

2011: Times Square in "New Year's Eve"

The romantic comedy "New Year's Eve," released in 2011, featured Times Square as a prominent location, showcasing its energy and excitement during the iconic New Year's Eve celebrations.

March 2012: Times Square's Record-Breaking Attendance

Between March 2012 and February 2013, Times Square experienced an extraordinary influx of visitors, surpassing even Disney theme parks globally, with a staggering 128,794,000 people.

February 2013: End of Times Square's Record-Breaking Year

By February 2013, Times Square concluded a year of unprecedented visitor numbers, solidifying its position as a global tourist hotspot.

December 2013: First Phase of Times Square Plaza Completed

The first phase of the renovated Times Square pedestrian plaza was completed in December 2013.

February 1, 2014: Super Bowl Boulevard Takes Over Times Square

A "Super Bowl Boulevard" with activities and attractions was held on Broadway in Times Square leading up to Super Bowl XLVIII in February 2014.

2014: Massive Cleanup After New Year's Eve

On New Year's Day 2014, the New York City Department of Sanitation, along with the Times Square Alliance, undertook a massive cleanup effort, clearing over 50 tons of trash left behind from the previous night's festivities.

2015: Controversy Over Topless Women and Panhandling Characters

During the summer of 2015, Times Square saw a surge in controversy due to the significant presence of topless women known as "desnudas" and panhandling costumed characters, sparking debates about their impact on the area's quality of life.

June 2016: Pedestrian Flow Zones Implemented

In June 2016, in an attempt to regulate the crowds in Times Square, "pedestrian flow zones" where loitering was prohibited were put in place, along with designated "activity zones" for costumed performers.

2016: Times Square Pedestrian Plaza Project Completed

The entire Times Square pedestrian plaza project was completed just before New Year's Eve 2016.

2017: Calls for Increased Safety Bollards

Following a vehicle-ramming attack in 2017, there were calls to install more safety bollards in Times Square.

October 2020: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Times Square

By October 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted Times Square, leading to the closure of numerous hotels, stores, and restaurants, and a drastic reduction in pedestrian traffic.

2020: Increased Security Measures for New Year's Eve

For the 2020 New Year's Eve celebration, which drew a million attendees, heightened security measures were implemented, including aluminum barriers spanning from 38th to 59th Street and Sixth to Eighth Avenue.

2021: Closed New Year's Eve Celebration

As a result of the ongoing pandemic, Times Square was closed to the public for New Year's Eve 2021, with limited observers placed in designated enclosures to ensure social distancing.