Why did some U.S. states decide to "square" their dance choices?
Surprisingly, 31 states have designated square dancing as their official state folk dance.
Source
But did you know that Henry Ford played a role in this? In the 1920s, the automobile tycoon wasn’t just cranking out Model Ts—he was also on a mission to promote square dancing! Ford saw jazz as a corrupting influence and wanted a more "wholesome" alternative, so he funded square dance programs, published instructional books, and even encouraged schools to teach it. Fast forward, and thanks to passionate advocates (and a bit of Ford’s influence), square dancing became an official state symbol in dozens of places.
So, next time you do-si-do, just remember—you’re part of a century-old cultural debate! If this tidbit swung you into curiosity, subscribe to Trivia Tidbits and keep your knowledge spinning!
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