Prom History: How Did The Most Popular High School Tradition Start?

Prom, short for “promenade,” originated in the late 19th century as a formal dance event for college students in the United States, often held at the end of the academic year. The term “promenade” refers to the tradition of parading or marching in formal attire, reflecting the event’s emphasis on elegance and social etiquette. Over time, prom became a significant cultural milestone for high school students, symbolizing a rite of passage and a celebration of their transition to adulthood.

In the early 20th century, high schools began adopting the tradition, transforming these formal banquets into dance events for juniors and seniors. The high school prom, initially simpler and less extravagant than today’s versions, was often held in the school gymnasium with modest decorations and homemade refreshments.

As the decades progressed, prom evolved in response to broader cultural and social changes. In the 1920s and 1930s, as high schools expanded and education became more accessible, prom became a more common and anticipated event. During these years, proms were relatively simple, reflecting the economic realities of the Great Depression.

The post-World War II era saw a significant transformation in the nature of prom. The economic boom of the 1950s allowed for more elaborate celebrations, with proms often being held in lavish venues such as hotels or country clubs. This era also saw the introduction of prom themes, where the décor and music were tailored to a specific idea or motif, adding an element of fantasy and escapism to the event.

The 1960s and 1970s brought changes in fashion and cultural attitudes, influencing prom attire and traditions. The rise of rock and roll, changing gender norms, and the counterculture movement led to more diverse styles and a broader acceptance of different types of music and entertainment at prom.

In the 1980s and 1990s, prom became increasingly commercialized. The era saw the rise of promposals—elaborate ways of asking someone to prom—and an emphasis on high fashion, with many students renting limousines and spending significant amounts on dresses and tuxedos. Movies and television shows also began to depict prom as a pivotal high school experience, cementing its status in popular culture.

In the 21st century, prom continues to be a significant milestone, but with new trends reflecting contemporary values and technology. Social media plays a crucial role in how proms are experienced and shared, with students posting promposals, dress reveals, and event highlights online. There is also a growing awareness of inclusivity and diversity, with more schools recognizing and accommodating various cultural traditions and identities.

Throughout its history, prom has remained a dynamic tradition, constantly evolving to reflect the values, fashions, and social norms of each era. From its humble beginnings as a college etiquette banquet to its current status as a highly anticipated high school milestone, prom continues to be a significant rite of passage for many American teenagers.

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 sophomore 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.

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.

Evolution of Prom Celebrations Over the Past 25 Years

Attendance Rates

Prom attendance has generally remained high, with 85-90% of eligible students attending each year. This high participation rate highlights the event’s importance as a social milestone. In recent years, there’s been a slight increase in attendance due to more inclusive policies and the recognition of diverse student identities.

Attendance Rates: “Over the past 25 years, prom attendance rates have consistently remained between 85-90%, with recent years showing a slight increase due to more inclusive policies.” (Source: National Center for Education Statistics)

Spending: “In 1998, the average spending on prom was approximately $400 per student. By 2023, this figure had increased to an average of $800, reflecting the rising costs of attire, transportation, and promposals.” (Source: Prom Industry Report 2023)

Fashion Trends: “The late 1990s and early 2000s were dominated by classic and elegant prom attire. In contrast, the 2010s and 2020s saw a rise in sustainable fashion, with many students opting for vintage or eco-friendly outfits.” (Source: Fashion Institute of Technology Annual Report)

Cultural Impact: “Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have significantly influenced prom culture, showcasing prom experiences and trends. The phenomenon of promposals has added a new and creative aspect to the tradition.” (Source: Journal of Youth Culture, 2022)

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.

What trends and styles do you anticipate for the 2025 prom season?

Coming soon!