Quick Prom Facts:

• The word prom has been around since 1811
• In 1811 “prom” was an entire season of classical concerts, between July and September in the United Kingdom
• Prom was derived from promenade ball in the late 19th century
• Inspiration for prom in the US came about from debutante balls, which were given by prestigious families to debut their teenager
• When prom was first introduced in the 1900s, it very simple and modest. It was a tea dance held for high school seniors that were getting ready to graduate
• Due to the post-economy boom, proms hit the scene and begun to become standard for many high schools
• Not only are proms hosted by high schools, but depending on the size of the graduating class, universities too
• The dress code for prom read “your Sunday best”

Now that you have just received a quick rundown on how proms began, here is some more information about every day a girl spends all of high school waiting for!

High school prom is the first formal for many young people. It was held in the high school’s gymnasiums, decorated with streamers. Boys wore a jacket and tie and girls wore their Sunday dress. A record player or a local band provided music. It was believed to be an important way to instill manners, and a life lesson in social skills all in one event held at the end of the academic year. Proms had chaperons then and to this day still do. It is known that prom can intensify peer pressure over issues such as self-image, fitting-in, dates, sexual orientation and reputation.

Although prom started out very modest, as it did everything else, the 1980s changed everything. The 1980’s or the decade of change and rebellious came full throttle and shook things up a bit. Proms became standard and the attire change to a bit upscale. The ingredients of prom now included: rented tuxedos, designer gowns, stretched limousines, expensive restaurants, sex, drugs and alcohol.

At smaller schools prom was open to the entire student body. Some school, freshmen and sophomores may attend but only through invite from a junior or senior. Larger schools may hold two proms, one for juniors only and one for seniors only. It was tradition that the boys asked the girls out. He was to buy his date a corsage and the girl was to buy the boy a matching boutonniere.

The Crowning of Prom Queen and King

Prom court is usually senior boys and girls nominated by fellow peers to be elected as prom queen and prom king. American and Canadian high schools consider it prom royalty. It is an honor to withhold the title as either prom queen or prom king. Votes are earned depending on how active he/she is active in school. Students recognize when he/she is active in sports, clubs, student council and other activities. Now academic records are a part of the voting but teachers decide this. So with good grades, good attendance and a secured reputation in school activities, prom queen and prom king is chosen from votes of students, faculty and staff.

Some Christian schools and colleges will host a junior and senior dance because of school non-sponsored dances. At Christian schools, a stricter dress code and rules are enforced. Some schools require that girls show what they are wearing before it is worn to the event. Dancing is not the main event, it is a banquet instead, but a date is allowed. In addition, an anti-prom is an alternative for prom to pro-test against prom, where it is just a social gathering.

Equivalents to “Prom” in other countries (listed A to Z)

• Austria - Matura ball (in January or February), where parents and relatives are invited by students
• Australia and New Zealand - School formal or just Formal
• Brazil - Bailes de Formatura, no prom queen or queen at all and they are known to have heavy drinking from young people
• British English - Ball
• Chiles - Fiesta de Graduacion (graduation parties) held in December, after dinner parents leave and alcoholic beverages are available
• Colombia - “proms” where alcohol is available
• Egypt - similar to the Christian schools in the United States.
• Finland - Vanhojen Tanssit
• Germany - Abifeir or “Abi ball” or “Abi Party”, where alcohol is provided because the legal drinking age in Germany is 16 for beer and wine but majority is 18 or older
• Ireland - Debutantes’ Ball and Grads- for all male schools
• Italian military schools “Mak II 100″, held a 100 days before graduation and is not formal
• Lithuania - Isleistves, held the same day after presentation of diplomas. Also 100 days before prom is called Simtadienis, it is a less formal event organized by the junior class but attended by the senior class
• Malaysia - proms organized by students only, no school administratives take part
• Pakistan - Farewell Dinner and Farewell Function, held only after college academic yr. Prom queen and king are called “Lady of the evening” and “Gentlemen of the Evening”
• Peru - “Fiesta de Promocion” may be help at the house of a graduating senior, where dinner is served along with alcoholic drinks and breakfast served at 6 the next morning
• Poland - Studniowka - 100 days before exams, mainly for those who are about to graduate but underclassmen may attend. Graduates receive a ribbon with name on it and wear them until the end of the academic year
• Slovakia - Stuzkova’ held in November or December attend by students, parents, and teachers
• Slovenia - Maturantwki, tradition to have first dance with mother/father
• South Africa - Matric Dance
• Sweden - Studentbalen meaning the student ball
• United Kingdom - school ball until 2000 but now school prom
• Vietnam - lien Hoan Cuoi Nam

Prom is now has a larger than life expectation. It is now more important to be a part of prom court and come with the best-looking date. It is the ultimate transformation from young teenagers to young adults. Proms are now more expensive and definitely more lavish from the modesty it came from. Most proms are held from 8-12 with after-prom activities to conclude the special night, which end the next morning.

Prom has definitely made some changes from where it first began. Certain things are must haves, like fancy dresses, a great venue and nice luxury rides. It began as a tradition, where the boys asked the girls to be their date, this tradition has not yet disappeared but has definitely diminished and is no longer necessary. Girls now-a-days ask the boy themselves, go with a group of friends or even go alone and boys do the same. From a simple tea dance to a lavishly expensive night, prom has evolved and is not going anywhere anytime soon. Take prom into your hands, allow yourself to be remembered, and do not take your special night for granted!