This is Times Square in New York City, the site of the annual New
Year’s Eve ball drop since 1907. It replaced an extravagant fireworks
display from the top of the Times Building that was held from 1904 
until it was outlawed by city officials in 1906.

In 1904 The New York Times moved operations to a new skyscraper,
center above, at what was then called, Longacre Square on 42nd St.

 
Rick Nelson and his band were on their way to a New Year’s Eve
sock-hop in Dallas, Texas when a fire broke out aboard their 
plane, a Douglas DC-3. The pilots were forced to make a crash  
landing northeast of Dallas. Nelson and his fiancee were killed   
along with five members of his band. Both pilots were able to 
escape through the cockpit windows and survived. After an 
investigation into the crash, the cause was found to be a 
mechanical problem with the cabin heater. 

   
                               The crash site in De Kalb, Texas

 
Nelson’s grave marker at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles, Cal.