Times+Square

=__What is some Times Square History?__= ====Times Square was originally known as Longacre Square but changed to Times Square in 1904. It was named after the New York Times building. During the depression, Times Square theaters and restaurants were busy. People went to theaters to get away from real life. When the depression got worse the theaters were loosing money and many owners had to sell. From the depression to the 80's, Times Square went from theaters, to x-rated shows to nothing. In to 80's people band together to fix it and make it what it used to be. Times Square finally was up and running by they late 90's. It's known as a place to advertise using big signs. There are now 26 million visitors a year. People say that the change to it is called 'Disneyfacation'. (Macbeth) "Free internet in Times Square is an option for 20 blocks. The closest billboard you are next to is where you're getting connection". (Kang)====

=__Where are Places to Visit in Times Square?__= ====One place to visit in Times Square is the Virgin Megastore. "Richard Branson discovered Virgin and originally opened in Oxford, London. Virgin has opened stores all over the planet. The first opened was in 1992 in the states". (Virgin.) "The Virgin Megastore is going to close to replace with the clothing store, Forever 21. The reasons it's closing is because they can't compete with iTunes. Everyone is using that instead of buying CD's. They've tuned to selling clothing and electronics including iPods". (McGeehan)==== ====Another great place to visit in Times Square would be the NOKIA Theater. The NOKIA Theater holds 2100 people. The architect for the NOKIA theater is by David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group. It opened in September 2005. The huge theater can be used for things such as concerts, award shows, live television, web broadcasts and event parties. NOKIA is the leader in the world for mobile communications. They provide people with phones that are easy to use. (NOKIA)==== ====Another place to visit in Times Square is the Hard Rock Cafe. The Hard Rock Cafe is a 1800 square foot, 708 seat resaurant. There are a lot of visitors each year to the Hard Rock Cafe. It has a stage where many famous band have performed, along with a lot of Memorabilia. There are many costumes worn by Madonna and Gwen Stefani. Props for artists with New York ties such as John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, The Ramones, and Bruce Springsteen. It also features things from The Beatles, Nirvana and Elvis Presley. (Hard Rock Cafe.)==== ===="Finally, the last place to visit in Times Square is Times Square Studios. Times Square Studios has a floor-level studio, a marquee studio, a radio studio, other offices and dressing rooms. Times Square Studios is where Good Morning America is filmed. It's located in the heart of Times Square. The longest curved billboard also makes up the outside of Times Square Studios. There are 9 ribbons make up of 2.3 million lights. ABC and ESPN provide news on the bottom two ribbons". (Times Square Studios LTD.)==== =__What is some history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?__= "The original Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was known as the Christmas Parade. It started in 1924. Macy's employees started it and it featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. In 1927 is when the first helium balloons were used. They failed that day and all of the balloons burst. From 1942 to 1944, because of World War II, they stopped the parade because of lack of helium and rubber. All of the balloons were donated to the government so they had an extra 650 pounds of rubber for war use. Nowadays, over 3 million people line up on the streets of Time Square to see the parade each year. The parade features a lot of recognizable characters of helium balloons, and many different celebrities". (Macy's)

__Works Cited__
 * "About Us." __Virgin.__ 2009. Virgin Megastore. 17 May 2009. .
 * Kang, Michael. "Getting Connected in Times Square". __Times Square Crossroads of the World.__ 2009. Dataware Coorporation. 17 May 2009. .
 * Macbeth, VR. "Times Square: Part of New York City History". __Times Square Crossroads of the World.__ 2009. Dataware Coorporation. 17 May 2009. .
 * Mcgeehan, Patrick. "Virgin Megastore in Times Square to be Replaced by Forever 21." __New York Times.__ 14 Jan. 2009. New York Times. 17 May 2009. .
 * "New York Cafe." __Hard Rock Cafe.__ 2009. Hard Rock Cafe International. 17 May 2009. .
 * "Welcome To NOKIA Theater Times Square." __NOKIA Theater.__ 2009. AEG Live. 17 May 2009. .

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