Whether you plan to quietly ring in 2011 on the couch or you'll be partying like a rock star in Times Square, tradition dictates that Dick Clark should help you celebrate. Since 1972, his New Year’s Eve special — now officially titled Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest — has delivered live coverage of the first moments of a new year. Here’s a selection of clips of Dick’s countdown through the years.

1973

The first broadcast of New Year’s Rockin’ Eve began on December 31, 1972.

1982

Big cheers for 1982!

1990

It was a rainy New Year’s Eve in 1990.

2000

Though he didn’t host the typical show to ring in the year 2000, ABC allowed Clark to do his usual countdown during their special coverage of the turn of the century.

2005

In 2005, Regis Philbin filled in for Dick Clark after he suffered a massive stroke earlier in the year.

2010

Eventually, Ryan Seacrest will take over as full-time host of the show — but not too soon, we hope.