“When one thinks of Paris one thinks of the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe, when one thinks of London one thinks of Times Square”, these are the words of the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, during the presentation of the new archaeological walk in Rome, talking about the iconic places of the cities. But there’s a problem: Times Square is located in New York! More precisely, it is located in the borough of Manhattan, at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, and extends from West 42nd Street to West 47th Street.
And the case immediately broke out on social media, where users pointed out the Minister’s gaffewho immediately took countermeasures by having his followers issue a note in which he justified himself.
The error, they explained, was due to “a very strong emotion”.
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What is Times Square famous for?
The answer in this case is obvious: Times Square is the most visited place in New York, in the heart of the borough of Manhattan. A square that has transformed into symbol of the city cosmopolitan par excellence, and which owes its recognizability to its enormous advertising screens and neon signs that illuminate the area day and night, creating a light show that has few rivals in the world. More than any other area of the city, Times Square captures the energy, chaos, diversity and ambition that are synonymous with New York and, more broadly, the United States as a whole.
Furthermore, it is about one of the major tourist attractions in the world: its central location, cultural attractions, shops, restaurants and liveliness make it a must-see for anyone visiting New York.
What does Times Square mean?
The name Times Square comes from the ‘New York Times’, one of the major US newspapers. The square obtained this name at the beginning of the 20th century, when the ‘New York Times’ moved its headquarters to a new skyscraper, the Times Building (now known as One Times Square). Prior to this move and subsequent name change in 1904, the area was known as Longacre Square. The decision of theNew York Times’ establishing its headquarters here had a significant impact on the area, transforming it into the hub of the entertainment and media industry.
New Year’s Eve Tradition: What Happens at Midnight in Times Square?
Times Square is a square that never sleeps. At midnight the activity remains notable, also due to its illuminated advertising screens and the constant influx of tourists and New Yorkers. The area is known for its liveliness and entertainment, with restaurants, shops and theaters often staying open late into the night.
But the square also owes its fame to its new year celebration during which one of the most iconic events takes place: the “Ball Drop”. This tradition, which began in 1907, sees a large illuminated sphere descending down a pole located at the top of the One Times Square building. The descent begins at 11.59pm and ends exactly at the stroke of midnight, marking the arrival of the new year. The event is followed by a huge celebration with fireworks, music, and confetti, and attracts thousands of spectators from around the world.