History of the Times Square Ball Drop

History of the Times Square Ball Drop

Assessment

Interactive Video

History

9th - 10th Grade

Hard

Created by

Mia Campbell

FREE Resource

Before time zones, cities used solar time, causing issues for sailors. The Royal Navy introduced time balls for calibration. The New York Times started a New Year's Eve tradition in Times Square, inspired by these time balls. The ball drop became a tradition in 1907, only paused during WWII.

Read more

7 questions

Show all answers

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What was the primary reason each city kept its own time before time zones were established?

To align with the Sun's position

To synchronize with neighboring cities

To accommodate local festivals

To follow the Royal Navy's guidelines

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What technological advancement made time balls unnecessary?

The introduction of time zones

The invention of the wristwatch

The development of self-winding clocks

The creation of digital clocks

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Where did New Yorkers originally gather to celebrate New Year's Eve before the Times Square tradition?

Trinity Church

Empire State Building

Brooklyn Bridge

Central Park

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What inspired the New York Times to create the Times Square ball drop?

A suggestion from the mayor

Old naval time balls

A ban on fireworks

A desire to outdo other cities

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

In what year did the Times Square ball drop tradition begin?

1899

1945

1907

1920

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Why was the Times Square ball drop paused during World War II?

Due to a lack of materials

Because of a city-wide blackout

To prevent the bright lights from being a target

Because of a labor strike

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What was used instead of the ball drop during World War II?

A parade

Fireworks

A light show

Chimes