January Edition︱Holidays
The History of the Times Square Ball Drop | By Rifa
How did this iconic New Year’s Eve tradition start and evolve?
The Times Square Ball Drop was first introduced in 1907 by Adolph Ochs, the owner of The New York Times, to celebrate the new headquarters in Times Square. The event was also designed to attract attention to the area, which was remodeled and hosting a vibrant new alternative celebration to fireworks. Over time it began to draw millions of in-person attendees, captivating billions of viewers around the world.
At the time when it was first introduced, fireworks were commonly used to mark New Year’s Eve celebrations, but they were banned in New York City due to safety concerns. The New York Times owner wanted to offer a new, safe way to celebrate, and the ball drop was born as a creative and eye-catching alternative.
Over the decades, the ball underwent several changes. In the 1920s, it was updated to be lighter, and in the 1980s, it took on the appearance of an apple, reflecting New York’s nickname, “The Big Apple.” It quickly became a beloved tradition, symbolizing the excitement of the New Year and this simple design marked the beginning of a now legendary annual event.
New Year's Eve Traditions | By Iris
Celebrating the New Year is a global tradition. A vibrant spectacle of fireworks displays illuminates the night skies in numerous countries, from the United States to China, adding a touch of magic and excitement to the celebrations. New Year's traditions are different around the world. In Spain, families gather to eat twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight, each grape representing a month of good luck in the coming year. This tradition from Spanish culture is a fun and festive way to welcome the new year. Meanwhile, in Denmark, people stand on chairs and jump off at midnight, symbolically "leaping" into the new year and leaving any bad luck or negativity behind. Japan observes a more contemplative tradition, with Buddhist temples ringing bells 108 times to cleanse the 108 earthly temptations and usher in a purified new year. Despite their different flavors, many cultures emphasize the importance of spending time with loved ones, sharing special meals, and reflecting on the past year while looking forward to the future. These traditions even though there all different, all share a common fun experience and fresh start.
How to achieve your New Year’s goals | By G. Sharon
Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution that you didn’t carry on? We all have! But here is how to carry on your resolutions and fulfill your 2025 bucket list! Whether you want to practice fitness, earn money, or even gain or break habits, this method will help you achieve your goals.
First things first, you need get rid of anything that may hold you back from fulfilling your dreams. This could be a relationship, friendship, or even an inanimate object. But once you have overcome whatever might interfere with your goals it’s up to you to take charge. One of the most important things that you need to do is set up a reward system for yourself. An example would be “If I do one month of Spanish lessons I will get ice cream. But if I do one month and excel to a new league I’ll go shopping two”. Studies have shown that majority of reward systems have had a 27% gain in any performance.
The next step is to plan. Planning is important. In order to grasp a new skill or habit you need to understand the next steps. Planning out your day to incorporate your goals each day can have a significant impact on excelling at your craft. And finally, vision boards. Visuals are a great way to motivate yourself work towards an ideal life. Waking up to see your ideal lifestyle each day is a guarantee to make your work towards it. Once you have implemented all of these methods you will succeed and achieve your goals.