Date: The New York Times's offices, for which the area is named, moved to the previously-named Longacre Square in January 1905.

Architect: Cyrus Eidlitz and Andrew McKenzie (Times Tower).

Times Square in History: Times Square festivities began on December 31, 1907, when the first New Year's Eve ball was dropped (by Dick Clark?) from the top of the Times Tower. In the ensuing years, vaudeville, burlesque and theatre companies began to move to the area to participate in the end-of-the-year celebration. By 1929, almost all of the New York City's 71 playhouses were hosting year-round productions in Times Square.

Times Square Today: More than 1.7 million people pass through Times Square daily. Last year, it generated the most tourist revenue per square foot in the U.S.; proving that all the Mickey Mouse paraphernalia is much more lucrative than the 25-cent peep shows of yesteryear.

Address: West 40th Street to West 53rd Street between Sixth and Eighth Avenues.
• The Website