Many of us are getting ready for this year’s May 1st prom by shopping for dresses and tuxedos, purchasing tickets, and, of course, asking that special someone to the dance. But where did prom come from, and why has it become such a big tradition?

“Prom” comes from the French term “promenade,” which translates to “walk” and is typically used in English as a word for the parading of guests at a party.

This definition fits the description of early proms in the United States. These first events occurred in the 1800s, taking the form of a co-ed college banquet held toward the end of an academic year.

The banquet tradition gradually spread to high schools, where it was accompanied by dancing. The new prom for high school juniors and seniors increasingly marked a kind of rite of passage for teenagers: a formal adult social event emphasizing independence from parents and a movement away from simple childhood parties.

After World War II and into the “Happy Days” of the 1950s, schools and students began to spend more money on prom and make it into a larger event. Proms were no longer held in stuffy gyms but in banquet halls and country clubs, and emphasis grew on girls’ extravagant dresses and boys’ sharp tuxedos.

Additionally, the naming of a Prom Queen and Prom King created increased social competition surrounding the event. Of course, the popularity contest was not the only controversy over prom as it progressed into the late 20th century.

Incidents as recent as the 1990s have been documented where interracial couples were banned from prom, and this year has already seen some instances of national attention regarding gay and lesbian rights at prom. Even today many schools keep strict codes regarding who can attend, what they can wear, and how they must conduct themselves.

As the prom tradition evolves, however, its meaning changes to fit the times. It has come a long way from its simple origins. Throughout the years, prom has truly marked a distinguished night for the American youth, and it will surely continue to provide fun and memories for generations to come.