At the beginning of the 20th century, the New York Times built a striking high-rise building on 42nd Street, between 7th Avenue and Broadway. The building, initially known as "The Times Tower", later became famous as "One Times Square". Finally, on April 8, 1904, then Mayor George McClellan signed a resolution officially renaming the square north of the building "Times Square". "Times Square is the name of the city's new center," was the headline of the eponymous daily newspaper the next morning.
From entertainment district to cultural center
Originally known as "Long Acre Square", the square was once a carriage quarter in the style of a London neighborhood. With the advent of cars and skyscrapers, the environment changed and the name "Times Square" seemed more appropriate. While the square became a symbol for the city, "One Times Square" remained a landmark. Today it is surrounded by illuminated billboards and shines brightly almost all the time, making "Times Square" one of the city's most famous sights.
According to the Times Square Alliance neighborhood association, almost 400,000 people pass through the square, also known as the "Crossroads of the World", every day. On New Year's Eve, millions of people gather here to ring in the New Year and experience the iconic "ball drop". But "Times Square" offers a varied program not only on New Year's Eve, but all year round. The square was redesigned in the 1980s and is now largely a pedestrian zone. The Broadway theater scene is booming, and the square is the center for entertainment, stores and restaurants.
A meeting place for the world
Despite its popularity, "Times Square" is also the subject of controversy. Some New Yorkers see it as a tourist trap and long for the past, when the square was less crowded and traffic-calmed. Nevertheless, the Times Square Alliance neighborhood association is working to celebrate and preserve the square as a cultural and public space. And this despite the fact that the actual namesake has long since moved on - the world-famous name nevertheless remains.
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