Sipa USA/Alamy Stock PhotoThe Times Square Constellation Ball, which made its debut in November 2025.Every year on New Years Eve, millions of eyes around the globe turn to a single rooftop in Midtown Manhattan, watching as a glittering sphere begins its descent down a pole atop One Times Square. The Times Square Ball Drop has become synonymous with ringing in the new year, a tradition so ingrained in American culture that it sometimes feels like it has always been around. Of course, it had to start somewhere and sometime and many people may be surprised to learn that the celebration has been around for more than a century. First emerging in 1907, the Times Square ball has a fascinating history, evolving from a relatively modest 700-pound iron sphere to a modern technological marvel that weighs 12,350 pounds. It is, in many ways, a symbol of American innovation and it all started thanks to a newspaper. How The Times Square Ball Drop BeganThe annual tradition likely wouldnt exist at all at least, not in its current form if not for a man by the name of Adolph Ochs, the owner of The New York Times at the start of the 20th century. In 1904, when the newspaper moved its headquarters to what was then called Longacre Square, the city soon renamed the area to Times Square. Public DomainAdolph Ochs, the former owner of The New York Times, and the man responsible for the Times Square Ball Drop.To celebrate Times Squares new name and to ring in the upcoming new year, Ochs threw an extravagant party in the area on New Years Eve 1904, complete with a massive fireworks display.However, by 1907, the city grew concerned about fire hazards in such a densely packed place and the possibility of debris falling down on the crowds, so fireworks were banned in the area. Ochs, not wanting to stop the party, needed a new spectacle to impress revelers who gathered there. According to historical records from the Times Square Alliance, it was The New York Times chief electrician, Walter Palmer, who suggested a time-ball.Public DomainOne Times Square during its construction in 1903.It wasnt an entirely new idea. A time-ball was actually an old maritime tradition that involved a ball dropping at a specific moment at observatories to help crews of passing ships keep track of the time. Its believed that there were 150 public time-balls installed around the world at one point.At Palmers suggestion, Ochs took what was once considered practical nautical advice and successfully repurposed it for entertainment. Palmer and a Ukrainian immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr quickly got to work on creating the first-ever Times Square ball for New Years Eve. The first ball, made of iron and wood and adorned with 100 lightbulbs, was five feet in diameter and weighed roughly 700 pounds. It made its debut on New Years Eve 1907, when it began its descent just before midnight.The crowd watched as the Times Square Ball Drop rang in the new year. Meanwhile, restaurant and hotel workers nearby donned battery-powered top hats, decorated with the numbers 1908, which were embellished with tiny lightbulbs. The new spectacle and the festive hats created an instant sensation, and soon enough, a new global tradition was born. Every year since then, the tradition has been carried out except for just two years during World War II, 1942 and 1943, when wartime dimout restrictions prevented the ball drop from happening. The Evolution Of The Times Square BallFacebookAn old version of the Times Square ball, used in 1978.The original Times Square ball served its purpose well until the Roaring Twenties ushered in a need for an upgrade. So, in 1920, a new iteration was introduced. This time, it was made entirely of wrought iron and weighed about 400 pounds, making it a little easier to lower for the men who were assigned that task. (Back then, the ball was lowered by hand.)That iteration served Times Square for 35 years.Then, in 1955, the ball received another update. This time, an aluminum frame replaced the heavier iron, reducing the weight once more. Now weighing just 150 pounds, the new ball was comparatively modern and sleek, and though its design would change, aluminum was the standard for years. SuperStock/Alamy Stock PhotoA crowd of roughly 900,000 people, gathered in Times Square for the ball drop on New Years Eve. 1947.In the 1980s and 1990s, however, the balls design took some creative turns. The most distinct visual design was used from 1981 to 1988, when the ball was modified to resemble a Big Apple to align with the popular I Love New York marketing campaign. Red lightbulbs and a striking green stem turned the sphere into a massive glowing fruit, meant to symbolize the city fighting its way back from a tumultuous fiscal crisis. After the memorable apple design was phased out, the traditional white lightbulbs returned, and in 1995, the ball received a striking makeover for the rising computer age: an aluminum skin fitted with glitter, rhinestones, computer controls, and strobes much of which was done for the benefit of those watching the ball drop on their televisions at home.But a new millennium was on the horizon, and that meant that the ball had to evolve yet again, to keep up with the changing times. The Millennium Ball And BeyondWikimedia CommonsThe Millennium Ball used to ring in the year 2000.Despite some concerns around the dreaded Y2K, organizers knew that the celebration in Times Square needed to reflect the magnitude of the year 2000. That meant a new ball, reflective of the modern age. A completely new ball was commissioned for the millennium celebration, with a design that married tradition with the cutting-edge technology of the day. A collaboration between Waterford Crystal and Philips Lighting, the new ball measured six feet in diameter and weighed about 1,070 pounds. It featured 504 Waterford Crystal triangles, illuminated by halogen lightbulbs.As technology continued to rapidly develop throughout the early 2000s, the ball continued to evolve as well. The 100th celebration of the Times Square Ball Drop in 2007 saw another big leap, this time replacing incandescent and halogen bulbs with LED lighting technology that shined brighter and more colorfully than ever before, all while offering new energy savings. Wikimedia CommonsThe Times Square Ball, seen from above, in 2012.By 2009, the permanent Big Ball had debuted, measuring 12 feet in diameter and weighing almost six tons. It was covered in 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles and illuminated by 32,256 Philips Luxeon LED lights, which were capable of creating a dazzling display of countless vibrant colors. Even more recently, ABC News reported that a new ball was introduced in November 2025. Dubbed the Constellation Ball, the latest version measures 12.5 feet in diameter, weighs 12,350 pounds, and features 5,280 handcrafted Waterford crystals and stunning LED lights, while also incorporating new signature sound and interactive capabilities, with an audio system that can create reactive designs based on musical input.It just goes to show that despite the traditions more modest origins, the spectacle of the event has never failed to keep up with the times. And while the changes to the balls appearance have always stood as a testament to technological advancement, its symbolic meaning has remained the same. For people around the world, the Times Square Ball Drop on New Years Eve is a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the passage of time, to celebrate survival and achievement, and to look toward a brighter future. After reading about the history behind the Times Square Ball Drop, see how Times Square has changed over the years with our photo galleries of Times Square at its lowest point and Times Square during its glory days.The post How The Times Square Ball Drop Became One Of The Worlds Most Iconic New Years Eve Celebrations appeared first on All That's Interesting.

Sipa USA/Alamy Stock PhotoIconic actress Betty White suffered a stroke six days before her death at the age of 99.Betty White was one of Americas most beloved celebrities. Known for starring in The Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, she was a legendary actress and comedian. She also successfully reinvented herself time and time again throughout her long life, winning the hearts of generations around the world. As she approached the age of 100, it seemed like she might be adding centenarian to her long list of accomplishments.Sadly, just weeks before her 100th birthday, Betty White suffered a stroke on Christmas Day that would ultimately claim her life six days later, on Dec. 31, 2021. She reportedly had no other illnesses leading up to her death, and while she was physically frail, her agent and friend Jeff Witjas said that she was still all there mentally, and her sense of humor was there. She died peacefully in her sleep at her Los Angeles home, and the last thing she reportedly said attests to a life that was full of love: Allen, the name of her late husband Allen Ludden, who had succumbed to cancer in 1981. Despite her heartbreaking loss, her own lifelong optimism helped turn what would otherwise be considered a tragedy into a celebration of life instead.White also had a remarkably positive view on aging. As she famously wrote in her memoir, If You Ask Me (And of Course You Wont), If one is lucky enough to be blessed with good health, growing older shouldnt be something to complain about. Its not a surprise, we knew it was coming make the most of it. And make the most of it she did. The Early Life Of Betty WhiteLong before she graced television screens across the nation, Betty Marion White was a young girl living in Oak Park, Illinois. Born on Jan. 17, 1922 to Horace and Tess White, Betty would only spend the first two years of her life in Oak Park, before the family packed their bags and set out for Los Angeles.Here, the young Betty White first dreamed of one day becoming a zookeeper or a park ranger. Then, she fell in love with performing. Throughout her school years, she appeared in various school plays, reflecting once to NPR that the show biz bug had already bitten her by the time she graduated high school in 1939. She had to put any plans on hold, however, when the world was plunged into World War II. Before long, White joined the American Womens Voluntary Services, driving a delivery truck to support the war effort and lifting the spirits of soldiers as best she could.Betty White Ludden TrustBetty White in her American Womens Voluntary Services uniform.By the time the war ended, White found herself in drastically different circumstances. She was married now, to an Army pilot and chicken farmer named Dick Barker, and living in Ohio, seemingly set to settle into the life of a Midwestern housewife. Just four months into that marriage, though, she apparently realized that it was not the life she wanted. The couple separated, and White revisited her dream of being a performer. Her professional career actually didnt begin in front of the camera, but behind a microphone. Told she wasnt photogenic enough for on-camera jobs, Betty White instead began working in radio to get her foot in the door. Nigel Dobinson/Getty ImagesBetty White and Eddie Albert on Hollywood on Television in 1952. It paid off, as by 1949, she was co-hosting the televised talk show Hollywood on Television, which broadcasted live for five and a half hours a day, six days a week. To say it was exhausting would be an understatement, but it also allowed White to sharpen her improvisational skills and comedic timing assets that would be invaluable for her seven-decade-long career.Career-Defining Roles In The Mary Tyler Moore Show And The Golden GirlsWhile Betty White found some early success producing and starring in the live-action sitcom, Life With Elizabeth, during the early 1950s, it was her career pivot that cemented her as an icon. At the age of 51, White was cast as Sue Ann Nivens in The Mary Tyler Moore Show.Wikimedia CommonsBetty White as Sue Ann Nivens.Sue Ann Nivens proved that White could play more than just the girl next door. She could be sickly sweet or a man-eating viper. The role proved her skills so well, in fact, that she won two Emmys for her performance.Of course, White would later take on another career-defining role: Rose Nylund in The Golden Girls. Portraying a different character, who was sweet yet scatterbrained, White once again struck gold. The chemistry between White, Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty established the show as a cultural touchstone, even decades after its finale. Betty White was the last of the shows stars to die, and she spoke about missing her friends.Im the last of the old broads, she said in 2010, and I miss them very, very much. But [The Golden Girls] was such a great experience. We loved each other, it was that simple.That same year also saw a massive resurgence of Whites career. As she said, she was the last Golden Girl alive at that point, but it was clear that she was still sharp as ever. And at 88 years old, she witnessed a level of interest in her as an actress that few others had ever experienced.Betty Whites Final ReinventionBetty Whites third act, so to speak, began partly due to her memorable appearance in a Super Bowl commercial for Snickers. In the ad, she played a character named Mike who looks like an older lady when hes hungry, but once the character eats a Snickers bar, Mike looks like a young man once more. It was part of the brands Youre not you when youre hungry campaign, which was a huge success.Betty Whites memorable Super Bowl commercial.The commercial was so popular that it prompted a Facebook campaign titled, Betty White to Host SNL (please?), which garnered signatures from hundreds of thousands of fans. Lorne Michaels listened, and on May 8, 2010, White became the oldest person to ever host Saturday Night Live, a performance that earned her a seventh Emmy Award.When I first heard about the campaign to get me to host Saturday Night Live, I didnt know what Facebook was, and now that I do know what it is, I have to say, it sounds like a huge waste of time, she quipped. Betty Whites iconic Saturday Night Live monologue.Her career resurgence wasnt just a brief flicker, either. It led to a starring role in the sitcom Hot in Cleveland, which ran for six seasons. White was working harder in her 90s than some actors do in their prime. Her energetic demeanor gave the impression that nothing could stop Betty White except for death. Inside Betty Whites Heartbreaking DeathAs Betty Whites 100th birthday approached, many were sure that she would be around to celebrate the milestone. People magazine, for instance, was so confident that White would live to reach 100 that it prematurely published a cover celebrating her birthday just a few days before her death.Even White herself seemed confident about her health. Just 11 days before her death, she had recorded a video message for her fans, which was intended to be shared on her 100th birthday. In the clip, she appeared clear-eyed and radiant, saying, I just want to thank you all for your love and support over the years. Thank you so much and stick around!But on Christmas, White suffered a mild stroke at her home, as one source told People. Mild or not, it was more than White was able to handle. Six days later, on Dec. 31, 2021, Betty White died in her sleep.ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy Stock PhotoBetty White with her third and last husband, Allen Ludden.Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever, her agent and friend Jeff Witjas said. I will miss her terribly I dont think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again. Allen Ludden, who was married to Betty White for 18 years, tragically died from stomach cancer in 1981. White never remarried, and as Business Insider reported, Betty Whites assistant had told Carol Burnett shortly after Whites death that the last word out of her mouth was Allen. Its difficult to know for certain if that was true, but given that White had always referred to Ludden as the love of her life, perhaps she truly was ready to reunite with him at the end. One thing that we do know for sure is that Betty White once said she had no fear or dread of death and praised her mothers approach to dying: She said, We know we have managed to find out almost anything that exists, but nobody knows what happens at that moment when its over. And she said, Its the one secret that we dont know. So whenever we would lose somebody very close and very dear, she would always say, Well, now he knows the secret. And it took the curse off of it somehow.After reading about Betty Whites life and death, read about the death of actor Luke Perry. Or, learn how Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn died.The post I Thought She Would Live Forever: Inside The Death Of Legendary Actress Betty White appeared first on All That's Interesting.

Finding interesting dog articles online shouldnt feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. The internet is flooded with dog content, but not all of it is worth your time.At DogingtonPost, weve learned that knowing where to look and how to spot reliable information makes all the difference. This guide walks you through the best sources and practical strategies for finding dog articles that actually matter.Where to Find Quality Dog ContentEstablished Dog Blogs and WebsitesEstablished dog blogs and websites should be your starting point because they employ editors and veterinary consultants who fact-check content before publication. Whole Dog Journal offers well-researched, in-depth articles about all aspects of dog care and training. Canine Journal earns recognition from Forbes, Readers Digest, and The Washington Post for its dog gear reviews, breed guides, and health coverage. The American Kennel Club maintains about 200 breed profiles and offers expert advice on grooming, training, and health. Adopt A Pets blog emphasizes adoption guidance and senior dog ownership, while iHeartDogs covers breeds, health, nutrition, and product reviews. These sources share a common trait: they cite studies, include author credentials, and update content regularly.Avoid blogs that lack publication dates, author information, or veterinary review. These red flags signal that the site prioritizes clicks over accuracy. Quality sources make their editorial standards transparent, so you can verify who wrote the article and what qualifications they hold.Community Forums and Social MediaSocial media communities like r/dogs on Reddit serve as starting points for dog owners seeking advice. The subreddits Top Posts section reveals what thousands of dog owners found genuinely useful, though you should always verify forum-derived tips with credible professionals before applying them to your dogs care. Treat forum posts as conversation starters rather than final answers. Public access means content spreads widely, so misinformation can circulate quickly without fact-checking.Mainstream News Outlets and Peer-Reviewed SourcesMainstream news outlets with dedicated pet coverage offer another reliable layer. The Washington Post, CNN, and NBC News publish veterinary Q&As, recalls reporting, and investigative pieces with established fact-checking standards. These outlets employ journalists who verify information with veterinary organizations before publishing.For health and behavior claims, peer-reviewed sources matter most. The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, PubMed, and the American Animal Hospital Association guidelines provide evidence-based information that filters out opinion-driven content. Cross-check any significant health claim across at least three independent sources before trusting it (this multi-source verification approach catches misinformation quickly and protects your dog from harmful advice circulating online).Google News Alerts configured for specific terms like dog food recall or canine health outbreak deliver breaking news directly to your inbox, ensuring you catch important safety updates faster than general searches. This strategy keeps you informed without requiring constant manual checking.How to Identify Reliable Dog InformationFind the Author and Their CredentialsSpotting a credible dog article takes three practical checks you can complete in under two minutes. Start by locating the authors name and credentials. Articles written by veterinarians with DVM credentials, certified professional dog trainers holding CPDT certification, or journalists with established bylines carry real weight. The American Animal Hospital Association and the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association only publish content reviewed by board-certified specialists, which is why these sources matter. If an article omits the authors name or lists credentials as vague as dog lover or pet enthusiast, skip it. Quality publishers display author information prominently because they stand behind their work. Websites that hide authorship hide accountability.Trace the Sources and CitationsHunt for actual sources within the article itself. Strong dog articles cite specific studies, mention which veterinary organization published guidelines, or link directly to research. When an article claims that dogs have 220 million olfactory receptors compared to humans 5 million, it should cite where that data comes from. Articles making health claims without referencing the AVMA, Merck Vet Manual, or PubMed studies are guessing, not reporting. Count the citations: articles with three or more named sources beat those with zero every time. This simple metric separates opinion from evidence-based reporting.Cross-Check Claims Across Multiple SourcesVerify claims across multiple independent sources before accepting them as fact. If one blog claims a certain training method works but three other established sources dont mention it, thats a red flag. The Washington Post and CNN maintain fact-checking standards that catch errors before publication, so when mainstream outlets cover dog topics, theyve already completed verification work. This three-source rule protects you from adopting advice that sounds reasonable but lacks real evidence. Before trusting any significant health or training claim, evaluate their credibility and accuracy across multiple outlets, and youll filter out misinformation that circulates widely online.Tools and Strategies for Discovering Dog ArticlesUse Targeted Search Terms and FiltersEffective dog article searches require precision instead of vague queries. Generic searches like dog health return millions of results, most irrelevant to your needs. Pair breed names with specific actions: search French Bulldog breathing problems study or Golden Retriever hip dysplasia research to surface articles addressing your exact concern. Add date modifiers like past month or past year to filter out outdated advice that no longer reflects current veterinary science. This targeted approach cuts search time dramatically and surfaces articles from established sources rather than clickbait farms. When you search for dog training methods 2025, youll find recent articles reflecting current best practices instead of outdated techniques published five years ago.Set Up Google Alerts for Dog TopicsGoogle Alerts automate the discovery process entirely, delivering breaking news directly to your inbox without manual checking. Set up alerts for specific terms relevant to your dogs life: if you own a Beagle, create an alert for Beagle health issues or Beagle training tips. If youre concerned about recalls, set an alert for dog food recall or dog treat contamination. The FDA and major manufacturers announce recalls through official channels, and Google Alerts catches these announcements faster than scrolling social media. Configure alerts for canine influenza outbreak or pet legislation changes to stay informed about emerging threats affecting dog owners. Most people miss critical safety information simply because they dont know it exists; Google Alerts solves this problem by pushing important updates to you automatically.Subscribe to Newsletters from Trusted Dog ResourcesNewsletter subscriptions from trusted sources like the American Kennel Club, Whole Dog Journal, and iHeartDogs deliver curated content weekly or monthly, eliminating the need to hunt for quality articles yourself. These newsletters filter thousands of published pieces down to the most valuable ones, saving hours of research time. Quality newsletters include author credentials and source citations, maintaining the same standards as their websites. Try subscribing to three to five newsletters from sources youve already verified, then unsubscribe from any that drift toward clickbait or unverified claims (this subscription strategy transforms passive scrolling into active learning tailored to your interests).Final ThoughtsFinding interesting dog articles online becomes straightforward once you know where to look and what to evaluate. The best sources combine three elements: transparent author credentials, cited research, and regular updates reflecting current veterinary science. Established dog blogs, mainstream news outlets with pet coverage, and peer-reviewed journals form your foundation because they employ fact-checkers and veterinary consultants who verify information before publication.Your evaluation process takes minutes, not hours. Check for author credentials first, then hunt for citations and sources within the article itself. Cross-verify any significant claim across at least three independent sources before trusting it-this three-source rule catches misinformation quickly and protects your dog from harmful advice circulating online. Red flags like missing publication dates, vague author credentials, or zero citations signal that a site prioritizes clicks over accuracy.Set up systems that work for you and stay informed with minimal effort. Google Alerts deliver breaking news about recalls, health outbreaks, or breed-specific concerns directly to your inbox, while newsletter subscriptions from trusted resources filter thousands of published pieces down to the most valuable ones. Visit DogingtonPost to explore engaging stories, practical care tips, and expert advice on dog health, nutrition, and lifestyle that help you find reliable information for your dogs wellbeing.

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The hits just keep on coming against Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The same day reports first surfaced that Walz was facing a formal criminal complaint for his alleged role in the fraud scandal

Melania Trump really had an incredible 2025, and the future looks bright for the first lady as she readies for the next year of her husband, President Donald Trumps second term in the White House.

The National Park Service logo at a Joshua Tree National Park visitor center in Twentynine Palms, Calif., on Feb. 20, 2025. Mario Tama/Getty ImagesWASHINGTONThe Trump administration this week terminated

President Trump on Wednesday announced he is removing National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland for now. Trump previously mobilized Texas National Guard Troops and sent them to Chicago

Never let it be said that President Trump doesn't know how to get the left spun up in a tizzy. Granted, yanking the left's chains is a good thing to do, every day and twice on Sunday for good measure.

A U.S. Air Force member receives a COVID-19 vaccine at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, on Dec. 29, 2020. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier via Getty ImagesAn Air Force general with