Millions gather worldwide to ring in 2011

Millions gather worldwide to ring in 2011

BETH FOUHY, Associated Press

NEW YORK — Revelers smooched and cheered the famous ball drop in New York's Times Square as the largest New Year's Eve celebration in the U.S. ushered in 2011. Most tried to set aside concerns about the worldwide economic downturn as partiers from New Zealand to Asia to Europe toasted to hopes of a more prosperous year to come.

In New York, a sea of people stretching for blocks braved tight security and cool temperatures Friday night to take part in the storied Times Square New Year's celebration, first begun in 1904. Crowd...