“The Crossroads of the World” in the middle of Manhattan became known as Times Square after the New York Times moved its headquarters there in 1904. It is one of the most Instagrammed locations in the world and the most-visited tourist attraction in the world, visited by 40 million people each year. It was one of the most dangerous neighborhoods until it was cleaned up in the 1990s. You can see how it looks today on Streetview.
1. Times Square was once named Longacre Square.
It took on its current name in 1904 when The New York Times moved its headquarters to the area.
2. The first Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop was held in 1907.
The tradition is still going, and nowadays more than a million see it in person (along with many more on television all around the world).
3. By law, Times Square’s buildings must have a minimum amount of display lighting.
The unique regulation is intended to preserve the area’s reputation for glitz and bustle.
4. It draws 50 million visitors a year.
That’s the most of any US attraction. Although we have to say this: if 60 million people go to New York City each year, that means 10 million of them manage to come here and somehow not visit Times Square.
5. The largest crowd in its history—an estimated 2 million people—celebrated US victory in World War II on August 14, 1945.
That celebration was the site of the famous Alfred Eisenstaedt photo of a sailor kissing a nurse.
6. Revitalization and investment in the 1990s and 2000s turned the area into a booming tourist destination.
These days, it’s a great place for families and home to popular stores, restaurants and shows.
7. The area became largely car-free in 2009, with temporary pedestrian plazas and the closing of Broadway to automobiles.
The bold move, originally an experiment championed by then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg, soon became permanent.
8. Around 340,000 pedestrians pass through Times Square on a typical day.
Want to see it empty? Check out the movie Vanilla Sky.
9. The Ball Drop on New Year’s Eve is celebrated by 1 million people in person and 100 million viewers watching from around the world.
10. Times Square’s bright lights can be seen from outer space. You can buy an LED sign for between $1.1 million and $4 million per year.
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