Discover 10 Fascinating Facts About Times Square You Never Knew!
Times Square was originally called Longacre Square, but was renamed in 1904 after the New York Times moved its headquarters there.
The famous New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square started in 1907 and has been held annually ever since, with the exception of 1942 and 1943 due to wartime blackouts.
The first ever electronic billboard in Times Square was erected in 1928 by the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) to promote its Uneeda Biscuits.
The New York Times building in Times Square has a massive, seven-story-tall LED screen that displays headlines and news articles in real time.
In the 1970s and 80s, Times Square was known for its adult theaters, peep shows, and porn shops, but it has since undergone a major revitalization.
The "TKTS" booth in Times Square, which sells discounted tickets to Broadway shows, was first opened in 1973 and is operated by the Theatre Development Fund.
The Times Square Alliance, a non-profit organization, is responsible for the maintenance and improvement of the area, including the installation of public art installations and pedestrian plazas.
The Minskoff Theatre in Times Square, which currently houses the popular Broadway musical "The Lion King," was built on the site of the former Hotel Astor.
In 2016, the city of New York designated Times Square as a "pedestrian priority zone," giving pedestrians priority over cars and limiting vehicle traffic.
Times Square is home to the largest Starbucks in the world, spanning four stories and over 45,000 square feet.