Every year on June 21st, World Music Day is commemorated (纪念)in over 120 countries. 【小题1】 Citizens of a city or country are permitted and encouraged to perform music outside in their neighborhoods, public areas, and parks on Music Day. Free concerts are also held, where musicians perform for the joy of it rather than for a fee.

In the 1970s, American musician Joel Cohen, was then working for a French radio station, came up with the idea of having musicians perform on the evening of June 21 to celebrate the start of summer. 【小题2】 The day started in France and has since extended to (延伸至) countries such as Belgium, the United Kingdom and others. It’s the ideal time to learn a new instrument or listen to songs people wouldn’t usually include on their playlists. Every type of musician can celebrate World Music Day with friends, family, and even strangers. 【小题3】 The purpose is to promote music.

【小题4】 Everyone can do it. This day can be used by even the most tone-deaf (音盲的) folks to sing their hearts out and appreciate the beauty and power of music. Music is a great way to express yourself. 【小题5】 A song might bring back a joyful memory or make you feel energized when you listen to it.

On the last day of each year, it has become a ceremony for large crowds to gather in the brightly lit chaos of New York’s Times Square to ring in new beginnings. 【小题1】 At the stroke of midnight, the crowd erupts into loud cheers.

【小题2】 Because of the coronavirus pandemic, no one was allowed to gather in person, but there will be a virtual event for those wanting to watch it from home. This marked the first year that crowds were prohibited from flocking to Times Square. Though the ball drop was canceled for two years during World War II, people still came to observe the tradition and hold a minute of silence.

Over the past century, the shining ball has evolved from an iron and wood cage decorated with light bulbs to a colorful crystal object. 【小题3】 The Times Square ball began thanks to a metalworker, named Jacob Starr and the former New York Times publisher, Adolph Ochs. In 1907 Ochs commissioned Starr, who worked for sign-making firm Strauss Signs to create a new visual display. The new concept was based on time balls, nautical (航海的) devices that had gained popularity in the 19^th century. As time-telling became more precise, ship navigators (领航员) needed a standardized way to set their chronometers (精密计时表). Each day, harbors and observatories would raise and lower a metal ball at the same time to allow sailors to set their clocks to match the ball. 【小题4】

Though Manhattan had been partially lit by electricity since the early 1880s, half of the American homes were still lit by gas lights and candles until the 1920s. 【小题5】   It was instantly popular.