You may be seeing a lot of social media posts from people reflecting on 2016 or even saying "good riddance" to the year, looking forward to a new year. And you may already have heard people discussing their new year's resolutions or plans for 2017. One of the biggest celebrations happens annually in New York City, as many gather to watch a giant lit up ball descend as they countdown to midnight.

In this episode, we'll talk about why we celebrate the new year when we do, how it's celebrated around the world, and the famed ball drop in Times Square.

I'm your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind New Year's Eve.

Have a safe and happy new year!

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Sources:

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/blog/10-insider-tips-for-doing-times-square-on-new-years-eve-123015

http://www.timessquarenyc.org/events/new-years-eve/about-the-new-years-eve-ball/history-of-the-new-years-eve-ball/index.aspx#.WE7ruvn491k

http://mentalfloss.com/article/60828/story-behind-times-squares-new-years-eve-celebration

http://www.today.com/money/new-year-s-eve-ball-5-little-known-facts-about-t64546

http://old.post-gazette.com/tv/20011226guy1226p6.asp

http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_ball

http://www.history.com/news/6-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-gregorian-calendar

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/history-of-august.html

http://thepossumdrop.com/Information.html