In America, New Year’s Eve is typically a time of joy and celebration. There are countdown parties, champaign toasts, and fireworks displays throughout the country. In New York City's famous Times Square, hundreds of thousands of people usually gather to watch a glittering crystal orb descend from atop the New York Times building.
But for the first time in decades, the neon-lit square, normally bustling with people, will be closed to the public. This is the first time the celebration will be disrupted since 1942 and 1943 when the festivities were cancelled due to wartime blackouts. This year, only invited guests will be allowed to witness the ball drop in person on New Year’s Eve. Dozens of frontline workers and their families will be honored with spots near the stage, but all other visitors will be turned away. For many Americans wanting to participate in the countdown viewing, they will have to do so from home via their televisions.
Although we may not be able to ring in the New Year in person with others, maybe we can feel some camaraderie knowing we are all celebrating with each other in spirit. And we can still look forward to the good things yet to come in 2021: the widespread vaccine roll-out, the reopening of businesses and American life, and the reconnecting of families and friends.
What do you have to look forward to in 2021?