HISTORIES OF THINGS TO COME: Happy New Year: Around the World, Around the Clock

2011 arrives in Auckland, New Zealand. Image Source: Daily Mail.

This blog post will update through the day as the clock strikes midnight through the world's time zones. The first major city to celebrate New Year's of 2011 in the world is Auckland, New Zealand (see video below the jump).

New Year's, Auckland, New Zealand. Video Source: Youtube.

Fireworks near the Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Image Source: Daily Mail.

New Year's in Singapore. Image Source: Daily Mail.

Tokyo, Zōjō-ji Temple Balloon Release. Video Source: Youtube.

Tokyo Balloon Release. Image Source: Toronto Sun.

Caption for the above image: People release balloons as the Tokyo Tower is illuminated to celebrate New Year at a countdown event at the Zojo-ji Buddhist temple in Tokyo January 1, 2011. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon.

Seoul, South Korea. Video Source: Youtube.

Capition for the above video: Crowds gather in Seoul to watch the traditional striking of the bell at Bosingak as the official start of 2011.

Taipei, Taiwan. Image Source: China Post.

Caption for the above image: A fireworks display explodes off Taiwan's tallest skyscraper, Taipei 101, to usher in the New Year, in Taipei, today. The year 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of the revolution which toppled the last Chinese dynasty to establish Asia's first republic. The Republic of China is still Taiwan's official name. (CNA, AP and AFP)

Taipei, Taiwan. Image Source: China Post.

Caption for the above image: Fireworks outlining the face of Dr. Sun Yat-sen kick off the fireworks display at the New Year celebration at Dajia Riverside Park, Taipei. (CNA, AP and AFP)

Taipei, Taiwan. Image Source: China Post.

Caption for the above image: Revelers wearing 3D glasses fashioned after the number 100 attend the 2010 countdown concert at Taipei City Hall, yesterday. (CNA, AP and AFP)

Shanghai. Image Source: Toronto Sun.

Caption for the above image: People walk past decorative red lanterns ahead of the New Year celebrations in Shanghai December 31, 2010. REUTERS/Aly Song

2011 arrives in Hong Kong. Image Source: Daily Mail.

Hong Kong celebrations. Image Source: Daily Mail.

Streets in the Philippines. Video Source: Youtube.

Fireworks on Sydney's tallest buildings. Image Source: Daily Mail.

Sydney fireworks. Image Source: Daily Mail.

2011 arrives in Sydney. Image Source: Daily Mail.

Mumbai streets after dark on New Year's Eve. Video Source: CNN/iReport.

Caption for the above video: What a charged atmosphere on the lake side of Thane city outskirt of Mumbai today.....children and their parents were on the streets to ride on well decorated horse carts.. silver plated horse carts were forming long Q to meet the rush for horse ride around the lake on the eve of new year.....I couldnot even take proper video shots from my cell due to heavy traffic and rush..but got some view[s].

Bollywood stars wish fans a Happy New Year. Video Source: Youtube.

Ahmedabad, India. Image Source: Toronto Sun.

Caption for the above photo: Students sit in a formation during New Year celebrations outside their school in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad December 31, 2010. REUTERS/Amit Dave

Dubai, UAE. Video Source: Youtube.

Red Square Moscow, Russia. Image Source: Daily Mail.

Russian President Medvedev's address. Video Source: Youtube.

New Year's in Red Square, Moscow, Russia. Video Source: Youtube.

New Year's across Russia's many time zones. Video Sources: Youtube.

Tsar's New Year's Eve Ball, Catherine Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia. Image Source: Exeter International.

Personal New Year's greetings are common on Youtube. Greetings from Moscow. Video Source: Youtube.

New Year's in Andriyanovka, Central Russia. Video Source: Youtube.

Helsinki, Finland. Video Source: Youtube.

Stockholm, Sweden. Video Source: Youtube.

Oslo, Norway. Video Source: Youtube.

Kiev. Video Source: Youtube.

New Year's Bear Ritual. Comanesti, Romania. Image Source: Huffington Post.

Caption for the above image: In a rural tradition, people wearing brightly colored costumes or animal furs travel to different houses dancing to ward off evil. According to the AP, the tradition is becoming urban as the economic downturn pushes the performers into the city to dance for money.