Times Square Information

Times Square is a major landmark in New York City. Located in the borough of Manhattan, it is surrounded by Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd and 47th streets. It is known as the "Crossroads of the World" and was formerly called Longacre Square until April of 1904. At that time the New York Times newspaper offices moved into what is now called One Times Square. Times Square is well known for its large and spectacular digital advertisements, and connects to the Lincoln Highway (the first road across America) on the Broadway and 42nd street side.

Many celebrities have been closely linked to Times Square like Irving Berlin, Fred Astaire, and Charlie Chaplin. Between 1910 and 1920, the area was called the Tenderloin because it was considered one of the most desirable locations in Manhattan. Despite this, at the time there was a lot of crime and corruption in the area because of gambling and prostitution rackets.

Times Square has become synonymous across the globe for their spectacular New Year’s Eve ball drop. People from all over the planet tune in at their midnight to watch the decent of the lighted ball that signals the arrival of each new year. Rudy Giuliani led an intense campaign to clean up the “Square” by increasing security and driving out pornographic theaters. He also cracked down on drug dealers and the “squeegee men,” people who would clean the windshields of cars sitting in traffic and solicit money for it. This gave tourists a safer feeling and restored confidence to those thinking of visiting the city.