Nowadays prom is the event to go to, the one dance to attend, even for the odd social pariah (outcast). It is an event, it seems, that has always been a fixture of high school: ask anyone on the street and they will retell their own prom. As well they should, for it has been a tradition for well over 100 years in American society.

Surprisingly, prom was not always a high school occasion: it was once held for colleges. “Proms” date back to the late 19th century. Not much has changed since then, save that social pressures have forced the age bracket ever lower. Not only that but college students don’t exactly have the funds for an expensive dance anyway.

Prom was once a day when college seniors would gather in their Sunday clothes for a cup of tea or two. This was only very early on, around the 1890’s. Later, when it was pushed down into high schools, it became slightly more elaborate, though by no means the extravaganzas held today. Prom prospered in the 20’s, a suiting time period as it directly relates to the roaring 20’s. After a slump from the Great Depression, prom again blossomed in the 50’s when money once again started to circulate.

It was uphill from there. It became a sort of contest: people wanted the nicest cars, the nicest clothes, the nicest everything. All of this for the coveted crowns of prom —marks of serious social status, even today.

Of course such displays of class cost serious money. Between hiring limousines, buying fancy clothing, and all of the preparation, the cost of prom has skyrocketed. Whether students or parents pay for it makes little difference; the cost of prom ranges from $900 to well over $1000 for the especially zealous. The increased cost of prom also led to an increased demand for a better “stage” so to speak, to show off the wealth.

The picture prom venue was not always tradition: Proms were once held in gymnasiums, much like homecoming, something that was quickly remedied. It soon became unacceptable for it to be held anywhere but expensive venues or classy hotels. Susan Ford, daughter of President Ford, held prom in the White House in 1975, the first and only time it has been done since.

As important as prom is, it stills attracts interesting social issues. Even recently there was an incident in 1994, in which the principal of a high school in Alabama threatened to cancel prom if interracial couples attended. Proms have been canceled for other, very similar, reasons, among them gay attendees and other controversial topics.

Prom has come a long way from its humble origins: from the small, rather nondescript, gatherings to the huge spectaculars held today. It is the hallmark of the high school experience; it imbues that one special night with a feeling of majesty, to be looked upon for years to come. That much has always been true.