2013 is almost here! Millions of Americans from around the country will be tuning in to watch the ball drop in Times Square as they celebrate the commencement of a new year.

As such, we thought it appropriate to share some fun facts about the ball that helps Americans usher in the new year annually. These facts were aggregated by the Times Square Alliance:

• The first celebration in Times Square was held in 1904 by Alfred Ochs, the publisher of The New York Times, with fireworks atop the newly opened Times Tower– the namesake for the square
• The ball has been “dropped” in Times Square every year since 1907 to celebrate the new year except for 1942 and 1943, during which New York City lowered its electricity consumption as part of a national effort during World War II
• The current ball is constructed of 2,688 Waterford crystal triangles, which are lit with an LED computerized lighting system
• This year’s theme for the design of the ball is “Let there be…Peace, Friendship, Love and Joy”