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National Folk Dance

National Folk Dance: Square Dance (1982-1983)

If there is anyone to thank, or to blame, depending on your viewpoint, for the square dance as the folk dance of the majority of states, it is the California-based "National Folk Dance Committee," later superceded (1987) by the American Folk Dance Committee of the United Square Dancers of American, Inc. (USDA) who, in turn, received assistance from the American Folk Dance Committee of LEGACY, International. This was serious business.

An official national folk dance

The proliferation of official state dances began with attempts by the California National Folk Dance Committee and, later, the USDA and LEGACY, International to name the square dance the official national folk dance of the United States of America.

According to the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, efforts commenced, in 1965, to designate the square dance the official folk dance of the nation. Western-style square dance organizations across the nation collaborated on these efforts. From 1973 through 2003, more than thirty bill proposals were introduced at a federal level to accomplish this goal.

Controversy regarding the legislation ensued.

Western-style square dance organizations supported numerous dance styles. Traditional square dancing, clogging, circle, contra, line, round and other heritage dance styles all fell under the broad purview of these organizations. They added non-traditional dance steps and established serious, highly structured competitive dancing contests. Their idea to promote square dancing as the nation's official state folk dance was seen as clearly self-serving by traditional square dance purists.

Historians and folklorists questioned the motives of the modern western-style dance clubs and found fault with the organizations' loose characterization of square dancing. They drew distinctive lines between traditional square dancing and the rest and questioned whether one specific dance style could be representative of a nation whose people came from such diverse backgrounds. They argued that evidence showed that traditional square dancing was just one type, among many, of traditional dance.

In 1982, after years of failed attempts, promoters of the square dance as the national folk dance met with some success, though limited. Senate Joint Resolution No. 59, sponsored by Senator Robert Byrd of Virginia, was approved by the United States Senate. Further, it was approved, as amended, in the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives approved an amendment to the resolution, and the Senate agreed, stipulating that the square dance would serve as the national folk dance temporarily, specifically, through 1983.

On June 1, 1982, President Ronald Regan signed Senate Joint Resolution No. 59, as amended, naming the square dance the national folk dance of the United States of America... for a limited time only; 1982 and 1983.

USDA suspends activity on a national level to build support at the state level

In 1982, the decision was made to curtail efforts to designate a national folk dance and to place the focus on state legislatures. It was thought that, by accumulating a majority of state designations, more pressure could be levied at a national level. In other words, the states were to serve as the leverage to get the square dance designated at the national level. These efforts met with a great deal more success than had been achieved at a national level.

Posted on the website of the United Folk Dancers of America, Inc. (USDA):

The USDA claims that 31 states have designated square dancing as its official state folk dance. We can only document 28. Any assistance in this area would be appreciated.

Some states have designated the square dance as their official "folk dance." Others have designated it their official "American folk dance." Still others have designated the square dance their official "dance."

Though the square dance served only temporarily as the national folk dance over thirty years ago, the quarterly newsletter of the USDA highlights the cover of each issue with "Square Dance - The National Folk Dance".

The USDA indicates that the following states have adopted the square dance as their official state folk dance. We have discovered most of the designations, but some remain elusive. We have found no evidence of official designation for four of the states. We are still looking.

1. Kentucky: Reportedly adopted in 1972. To date, we have not acquired documentation of this.
2. Oregon: 1977 by an Act of the Oregon State Legislature.
3. Washington: 1979 by an Act of the Washington State Legislature.
4. Tennessee: 1980 by an Act of the Tennessee General Assembly.
5. Alabama: 1981 by an Act of the Alabama Legislature.
6. New Jersey: 1983 by Senate Joint Resolution.
7. Florida: 1986 by House Concurrent Resolution.
8. West Virginia: 1987 by Senate Concurrent Resolution.
9. California: 1988 by an Act of the California State Legislature.
10. Oklahoma: 1988 by Senate Concurrent Resolution.
11. Idaho: 1989 by House Concurrent Resolution.
12. Massachusettes: 1990 by an Act of thr General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusettes.
13. Illinois: 1990 by an Act of the Illinois General Assembly.
14. Arizona: 1990 by proclamation of Governor Rose Mofford.
15. Arkansas: 1991 by an Act of the Arkansas General Assembly.
16. Virginia: 1991 by an Act of the Virginia General Assembly.
17. Montana: Unknown at this time.
18. Texas: 1991 by House Concurrent Resolution.
19. Colorado: 1992 by an Act of the Colorado General Assembly.
20. South Carolina: 1993 by and Act of the South Carolina Legislature.
21. Delaware: 1994 by Senate Concurrent Resolution.
22. Utah: 1994 by an Act of the Utah State Legislature.
23. Maryland: 1994 by an Act of the General Assembly of Maryland.
24. Mississippi: 1995 by an Act of the Mississippi Legislature.
25. North Dakota: 1995 by an Act of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly.
26. South Dakota: Unknown at this time.
27. Missouri: 1995 by an Act of the Missouri General Assembly.
28. Connecticut: 1995 by an act of the Connecticut General Assembly.
29. Georgia: 1996 by an Act of the Georgia General Assembly.
30. Nebraska: 1997 by proclamation of the Governor Ben Nelson.
31. Louisiana: 1999 by House Concurrent Resolution.

More information on this controversy can be found in the "Additional Information" section below.

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Sources...

"10 Reasons to Square Dance." United Square Dancers of America (USDA). United Square Dancers of America (USDA), 3 July 2015. Web. 6 Jan. 2016. <www.usda.org>.

Byrd, Robert C., Senator. "S.J.Res.59 - A Joint Resolution Designating the Square Dance as the National Folk Dance of the United States." Congress.gov. Library of Congress, 1 June 1982. Web. 8 Jan. 2016.

Dean, Eddie. "The Great Square Dance Conspiracy Uncovering the Evil Secrets of Operation Do-Si-Do." Washington City Paper. 23 Feb. 1996. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.

Mangin, Julie. "The State Folk Dance Conspiracy: Fabricating a National Folk Dance." The Old-Time Herald. The Old Time Herald, 1995. Web. 15 Jan. 2005.

Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide Third Edition, Revised and Expanded. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 3 Sub edition, 2001.

"Square Dance Legislation Collection, The." The American Folklife Center. The Library of Congress, 15 May 2015. Web. 18 Nov. 2004.

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Additional Information

Square Dance Instruction

The State Folk Dance Conspiracy: Fabricating a National Folk Dance: by Judy Mangin - Originally published in the Old-Time Herald, v.4(7) p.9-12, Spring 1995.

The Thought Of An Official Folk Dance Sends Him Reeling: Article, by Eric Zorn, in The Chicago Tribune questioning the act of making the square dance an official symbol; April 13, 1990.

The Square Dance Legislation Collection: American Folklife Center 1984/024, Compiled by Michelle Forner, Library of Congress, Washington DC, December 1994

National Folk Dance Effort Moves Forward: We're On Our Way Now, So Let's Make a Lot of Noise!: United Square Dancers of America National Folk Dance Committee.

Square Dancing 101: Square dancing basic including positions, formations, moves, and a glossary.

Video Square Dance Lessons Online: Video Square Dance Lessons Online and on DVD from Cyberpoint Marketing, LLC.

A Brief History of Square and Round Dancing: by Herb Egender.

Square Dancing: The Historical Geography of an American Folk Custom: by Richard M. MacKinnon, Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria, California.

Square Dance History Project: Website devoted to the documenting the history of square dancing with historical documents and an emphasis on imagery as much as possible.

History and Heritage of Modern American Square Dancing: A summary of the essays by Dorothy Shaw, Bob Osgood and Kenny Reese.

State dances: Complete list of official state dances from NETSTATE.COM
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John W. Jones

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While there have been countless fun books written on square dancing, Squaredance Fundamentals was the first to cut to the chase. There is no interesting history of square dancing, there are no entertaining anecdotes, just the nuts and bolts of how to square dance. Revolutionary illustrations show the dancer’s point of view, not just the spectators’ viewpoint. Dancers can, without turning on their heads, glean from the detailed illustrations exactly what they need to be doing with their hands, feet, etc. Each dancer can effortlessly grasp the material and easily retain it. Renowned master caller/teacher, Marshall Flippo, assiduously assisted the author in establishing the very first guidelines for standardized “Basic Maneuvers” which would enable square dancers to dance gracefully with any group, anywhere.

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Margot Mayo

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Betty Casey

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Square Dancing
Made Easy

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All Time Favorite
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Square Dance Music
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Square Dance Music & Calls, Audio CD (November 21, 2006), Number of Discs: 1, Label: Collectables Records.

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Volume 1 explores the integral role that social dancing played in the lives of Americans from the first settlements in 1607 through the 19th century, often in the most unlikely of ways. For example, readers may be surprised to learn that George Washington was a well-known aficionado of social dancing, and that he incorporated the etiquette and manners of dances such as the Minuet as a means of diplomacy to secure European allies during the Revolutionary War. After his death, Americans continued to celebrate his birthday with a grand ball that included dancing.

Social Dancing in America: A History and Reference (Volume Two), by Ralph G. Giordano. 428 pages. Publisher: Greenwood (November 30, 2006)

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