Ancient Faces

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

One could argue that New York practically invented, or at least modernized, the New Year's holiday. 

It all began with the early Dutch settlers, who started the tradition of New Year’s calling - going around the colony “calling” on friends and neighbors to wish them well in the coming year and to indulge in plenty of pipe-smoking and partying too. 

In the 19th century, New Year’s calling persisted, and bells rang at midnight on January 1 at Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan. 

By the 20th century, both traditions were replaced with something new - the dropping of an illuminated ball in Times Square starting on December 31, 1907. Gathering in restaurants and bars became popular, as this photo, dated 1910-1915, shows. 

Prohibition would soon put a damper on all that. Happy New Year's to all at Ancient Faces!