Prom - Where it All Began

The word prom is derived from promenade, specifically from the promenade ball that was popular in the late 1800s. Originally a graduation ball, the word promenade was shortened and activities altered into what we know as prom today.
Proms began in elite colleges in the northeast, in imitation of the debutante balls of the rich possibly as early as the 1800s. Middle class families desired the same stature that came from the debutante balls, so flocked to the idea of hosting proms for their own children.
Prom was a celebrated occasion, designed to instill social skills and proper etiquette in youth. The dress began as a formal affair and has remained as such in proper proms across the country.
Proms began as a celebration for the graduating class and were strictly limited to the senior class. Proms were chaperoned heavily and oftentimes sported seating for parents to view the event.
Though parental involvement in the actual prom has declined, many parents now participate by arranging pre-prom or post-prom activities. The ages of prom participants has also changed. Many schools across the U.S. offer senior and junior proms. Others allow students from any grade to participate in prom.
Though prom has evolved over time, the tradition of wearing formal attire and using proper etiquette has lived on. It’s not unusual for limos to escort prom dates to the dance or for proms to take place in elaborate locations.
Prom night is often referred to as a changing point in many girls’ lives, like a coming of age ceremony, but it’s not unique to the United States. Though they use many different names for the event, prom is a world-wide occurrence.
International Prom?
Okay, so prom itself may not be an international event, but it does have its equivalent world wide.
It can be a school formal or ball like they're called in New Zealand or England, or a debutantes' ball like those those in Ireland celebrate. However, the actual word prom is gaining popularity among the British and in Australia.
In Sweden the prom event is best known as studentbalen, while it’s better known as maturaball in Austria.
But that’s not all. Prom is celebrated in Columbia, South Africa, India, Germany and Chile. The fiesta de promocion of Peru takes place all night long, culminating with breakfast in the morning.
Students in Poland call their prom equivalent the studniowka while those in Turkey refer to prom as their graduation ball.
Though prom is nearly entirely a formal affair around the world, there are other proms that have broken the rules. Anti-prom is an event organized to protest traditional proms while geek proms have emerged as a parody of prom.
Unlikely retailers have even jumped on board with prom, promoting products that should never be used in formal wear, such as duct tape, who offered prizes for the most creative duct tape prom dress.