As you step out of the subway in the heart of Midtown Manhattan and onto the bustling streets of Times Square, you’re surrounded by the bright lights and billboards that make this iconic part of New York City so famous. But what’s in a name?
Why is it called Times Square? With a fascinating history stretching back over a century, there’s far more to this famous hub than meets the eye. In this article, we take a look at whyTimes Square got its name and explore some of the area’s most memorable past events.
Keep reading to journey through the exciting history of Times Square!
Why is It Called Times Square?
Times Square has been a focal point of New York City since the late 19th century, when it was first known as Longacre Square. It is home to iconic billboards, theaters, and lots of bustling energy.But why is it called Times Square?
Longacre Square
The area that is now Times Square began as Longacre Square in the mid-1800s, named after London’s “Long Acre” area.Until 1904, it was a relatively quiet neighborhood with small businesses.
The Birth of Times Square
Times Square got its current name in 1904 when the New York Times newspaper moved its headquarters here. The paper’s presence transformed the area, attracting other businesses.Bigger and Better
In the early 1900s, businesses grew exponentially in the area. Grand theaters sprang up like the Lyceum, the New Amsterdam, and the New York Times’s namesake theater.Neon billboards lit up the area. Major broadcast networks took over a chunk of Times Square in the 1920s and ’30s, creating the world’s most famous entertainment district.
The Beginning of a New Era
In the 1990s and 2000s, new development took the area in a more business-oriented direction, becoming a major transportation hub and home to a brand new office building and Condé Nast tower.A Rich History
Today, Times Square is still a beacon of entertainment and business, and has often been home to New Year’s Eve celebrations and political rallies over the past century. Its name honors the powerful yet ephemeral nature of the world’s first and most famous newspaper, the New York Times, and its important role in transforming an area of the city, and the world.Conclusion Times Square has changed and evolved over the past century and has seen some of the most important moments in global political, social and business history. Today, it continues to be a cornerstone of New York City and a center for entertainment and business. Citation URLs: https://www. nytimes. com/2018/03/17/nyregion/times-square-history. htmlhttps://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Times_Squarehttps://www. cnn. com/travel/article/times-square-nyc/index. html