Through efforts coordinated by national and regional associations, square dancers lobbied Congress to make their hobby the country’s official folk dance. His home state of Georgia celebrates the square dance as its official folk dance.

tiles/non-collection/4/4-28-squaredance_carter_nara.xml Image courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration President Jimmy Carter promenades with his square dance partner during the 1977 Congressional Picnic at the White House. The familiar do-si-do is an Americanized derivation of the French term dos-à-dos, translating as back-to-back. Some common steps retained their French names, such as the allemande and the promenade. The square formation, as well as many moves, were drawn from the cotillions and quadrilles that were popular in France and England during the 18th and 19th centuries. Four couples-each serving as one side of the square-execute a variety of geometric patterns and moves in time with music. Evolved from a variety of dances, the traditional American square dance traces its roots back centuries. Steeped in tradition, folk dances are rituals commonly practiced by the people of a region or nation. Although the designation seemed an obvious choice to square dancers, the movement encountered opposition to a national dance that did not represent all Americans. Preserved as House records, this correspondence communicated what turned out to be a not-so-simple request: designate the square dance as the national folk dance of the United States. “We’re still waiting for some results,” another pressed, concerned that a years-long petition drive to enshrine the uniquely American folk dance was proceeding more like a slow waltz than an up-tempo jig.įrom the mid-1960s through the early 21st century, square dancers from around the country made these demands using petitions, form letters, and handwritten notes. Let’s not wait any longer,” one demanded.

In 1973, American square dancers tried to call the tune with the House of Representatives, urging it to act quickly on legislation near and dear to their hearts. tiles/non-collection/4/4-28-squaredance_Letter_Val_Dunkle_nara.xml Image courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration Square dancers sent letters asking their Members to support the square dance as the national folk dance of the United States.

Hoedowns reels and frolics