New Years Eve

New Year's Eve is a time for celebration for Americans across the country. Many watch special events on television such as the countdown to the ball dropping in New York City. In Las Vegas, Nevada cars and buses are not allowed on the strip. Several hundred thousand people party waiting for the countdown to the New Year.

Many cities have their own celebrations which end with fireworks at the stroke of midnight. In some communities, people shoot guns. This is dangerous because people can get hurt.

In homes across America, there are parties where friends and relatives get together to count down to the New Year. There are also large balls and parties.

There are religious traditions on New Year's Eve. In some religious communities there is a special church service called "Watch Night." The services begin New Year's Eve and go past midnight. This is a time of thanksgiving and renewal. The first "Watch Night" was held in Germany in 1732 and was adopted by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.

"Watch Night" is also known as "Freedom Eve" in the African American community. Many slaves were eagerly awaiting January 1, 1863 because it was the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation.

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