Prom History: How Did The Most Popular Tradition Start? (2024)

  • Author
  • Recent Posts

Follow me

Senior Content Writer, Editor, SEO Strategist at Jovani Fashions

Nazy Rafaeil is a skilled content writer specializing in fashion, currently crafting engaging articles for Jovani Fashion.

Follow me

Latest posts by Nazy Rafaeil (see all)

  • Are ball gowns still popular for prom 2024? - November 6, 2023
  • What is a Homecoming Court? - October 24, 2023
  • 49 Creative Prom Theme Ideas for a Magical Night for 2024 - October 13, 2023

If you are currently between 15 and 18 or the parent of a kid that age, it probably hasn’t been on your radar, but prom or #prahm as the kids are calling it through social media in this generation is finally arriving. Girls will definitely pick a beautiful prom dress from Jovani, and compliment it with the most gorgeous accessories, outstanding shoes, a clutch and all that leads to the most important part, the dance. It really is hard to imagine how did this tradition start and how it became so popular over the years, so let´s walk you through it.

Prom remains alive in American culture today and has expanded among other countries with another name, but prom is much older than you think, it all started in 1928 thanks to Otto Rohwedders invention, prom is short for promenade “the formal, introductory parading of guests at a party.” began in the middle 1800´s at colleges and universities in the northeast to promote the social etiquette and manners in each graduating class.

Early citations of prom link it to the annual Ivy League tradition of presentation week during which formal dress and dancing accompanied a promenade concert.” and include mention in an 1879 issue of the Harvard Crimson.

There’s also a reference in an 1894 diary entry from a student from the Amherst College who was invited to attend a prom nearby the women’s school, the Smith College. Then after a few years, prom events came to high schools, but remember they started in a few colleges.

In the early days, these prom events were held at senior classes in college gathering in the gym for a couple of tea, beverages, mostly for socializing, dancing under crepe paper and in the eyes of chaperones. By since the 1930s, prom was very popular in America being held coast-to-coast where dinners and local bands started to kick in. In the 1950s as Americans gained more money and leisure time, proms became more extravagant and elaborate, bearing similarity to today’s proms. The high school gym may have been an acceptable setting for sophom*ore dances (soph hop), but junior prom and senior balls gradually moved to hotel ballrooms and country clubs. Competition blossomed, as teens strove to have the best dress, the best mode of transportation, and the best looking date. Competition for the prom court also intensified, as the designation of “prom queen” became an important distinction of popularity. In a way, prom became the pinnacle event of a high school student’s life, the ultimate dress rehearsal for a wedding.

Prom History: How Did The Most Popular Tradition Start? (3)

The nighttime dance served a function similar to a debutante ball. Early proms were times of firsts: the first adult social event for teenagers; the first time taking the family car out after dark; the first real dress-up affair; and so forth. In a piece on the etymology of prom, there is a fantastic chart pulled from the Google Books Ngram Viewer that plots the prevalence of prom-related terminology since 1900.

There was a resurgence in the 1980s, which kept pace in the 90s and hit its peak in the early 2000s, opening the way for some mayor favorite films, prom-centric teen movies over the past few decades: She’s All That, Pretty in Pink, Mean Girls and others.

And as this generation continues to improve, as societal norms evolve, especially concerning race, gender, and sexuality, prom parties are changing their values. A 2010 Time article, “Brief History: The Prom,” was decidedly negative about how slowly prom was catching up to the shift in cultural mores. However, the last couple of years have been all about acceptance, and now it seems the headlines skew more positive, with transgender prom queens and prom kings, and even LGBT parties are being thrown.

Unfortunately, there is still the occasional incident like a bunch of teens who posed for prom pics with a Confederate flag, and the mass shootings but that seems to be the exception, not the rule. What mostly makes the viral rounds these days are sweet kids taking grandparents to prom who missed it the first time around because they were too poor or off fighting in a war. Which may be the type of social grace that our forefathers meant to bestow us with when they conceived of prom way back before sliced bread was even a twinkle in Otto Rohwedder’s eye.

Having delved into the fascinating origins of prom and how it became a cherished high school tradition, you might now be thinking about your own prom attire. If you’re aiming to make a bold fashion statement on this special night, our article ‘How To Wear The Sexiest Prom Dress‘ is just what you need. It offers expert advice and style tips to help you choose a dress that’s not only stunning but also makes you feel confident and fabulous.

Last updated 6 months ago.

Prom History: How Did The Most Popular Tradition Start? (4)

Nazy Rafaeil

Nazy Rafaeil is a skilled content writer specializing in fashion, currently crafting engaging articles for Jovani Fashion.

Prom History: How Did The Most Popular Tradition Start? (2024)

FAQs

How did the prom tradition start? ›

The word "prom" is short for promenade, which means a formal, organized march. The first proms were held in the late 1800s and early 1900s in Northeastern colleges and universities. These early proms were formal events that were intended to teach young men and women proper etiquette and manners.

Why is prom so popular? ›

For some, it's a chance to dress up and have a fun night with friends. For others, it's an opportunity to create lasting memories before parting ways with classmates and entering adulthood. No matter the significance, prom is a special event that marks an important milestone in many people's lives.

When did high school proms start? ›

Until the early 20 th century, proms were sophisticated tea parties reserved for male college students and their affluent families. In the 1920s, proms began transitioning to high schools where they became a much more causal and inclusive event for teenage boys and girls on the brink of graduation.

Who invented prom night? ›

Prom remains alive in American culture today and has expanded among other countries with another name, but prom is much older than you think, it all started in 1928 thanks to Otto Rohwedders invention, prom is short for promenade “the formal, introductory parading of guests at a party.” began in the middle 1800´s at ...

What is the true story behind the prom? ›

The answer is: Sort of. Chad Beguelin, the musical's co-writer and lyricist, told NBC News back in 2018 the idea was inspired by producer Jack Viertel, who kept encountering similar stories in headlines. “He had seen several instances where, you know, same-sex couples were banned from their prom,” Beguelin said.

When was the prom first performed? ›

How did the proms start? ›

Founder and chief conductor of the Proms for nearly 50 years, Henry Wood was just 26 when he put on and conducted the first 'Prom' concert, held at Queen's Hall on 10 August 1895. Wood and co-founder Robert Newman had a vision for a series of concerts that anyone could attend, regardless of how much money they earned.

What is black prom? ›

Even when schools integrated after the Brown v. Board of Education decision, schools sometimes held two separate proms — one for white folks and one for Black folks. Of course, Black folks have always held their own proms in response. So, at its core, Black Proms are a protest and symbol of resistance.

Is prom still a thing? ›

While some high school traditions like senior night, spirit week, and senior pranks have become relics of the past in many schools, prom is still more relevant than ever. The annual event is a standing figurehead, even when trends seem to quickly fluctuate in and out of vogue.

Why was prom introduced? ›

Why did PROM introduced? Explanation: In order to provide some flexibility in the possible applications of ROM, PROM is introduced. PROM stands for Programmable ROM, in which the ROM is programmed by the user.

Is prom worth it? ›

It's a chance to celebrate the end of high school and the beginning of a new chapter in life. Prom can also be an opportunity to bond with friends, especially those who will be going away to college or the military after graduation.

What is the original prom night about? ›

At a high-school senior prom, a masked killer stalks four teenagers who were responsible for the accidental death of a classmate six years previously.

Why do schools celebrate prom? ›

Prom was a way to celebrate the passage from adolescence to adulthood, to give students a meaningful, shared celebration at the end of their high school career.

What is the message of the prom? ›

Parents need to know that the overwhelmingly positive core message of The Prom -- which is based on the Broadway musical and directed by the creator of Glee -- is to accept others, regardless of their sexuality, wealth, celebrity, or heritage. But to get to that point, both adult…

Who was the first woman to conduct proms? ›

Alsop served as an Artist-in-Residence at the Southbank Centre, London, for the 2011–2012 season. In 2013, she was the first woman to conduct at the Last Night of the Proms, she returned in 2015 and again in 2023.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Golda Nolan II

Last Updated:

Views: 5929

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Golda Nolan II

Birthday: 1998-05-14

Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958

Phone: +522993866487

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet

Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.