There was a time when just about every person learned how to partner dance. This was back in the old days when a lot more weight was given to community events and school proms. At the time there wasn’t a TV in every household and dancing was a fun way to pass the time socializing. For a lot of young people at the time it was a rare chance to get to interact with those of the opposite sex. For adults it was an opportunity to throw off the chains of work and household duty and just really let loose. These old photos capture folks having the time of their lives dancing and they are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face!

WWII Conga Line
“Servicemen in a conga line with women at the Gainesville Recreation Department’s Service Center.” 1942. Via: Thelma Ann Boltin/State Archives of Florida
Swing Dancers DC Jazz Club
“Dancers in a jazz club, Washington, D.C., between 1938 and 1948” Via: William P. Gottlieb/Library of Congress
1930s Dance Marathon
“Marathon dancers still going” 1930. Via: Underwood & Underwood/Library of Congress
1940s Couple Dancing Alone
“Al and Roey Stickles dancing at the trailer park – Sarasota, Florida.” 1946. Via: State Archives of Florida
1947 Square Dancing Oakridge
“Folk Dance 1947 Oak Ridge” Via: Ed Westcott/DOE Oak Ridge
Father Daughter Bride Dance
“Lieutenant General Clifton Cates and daughter, 12 October 1953” Via: USMC Archives
Teen Dance Oakridge 1945
“Photo by Ed Westcott Teen Dance Oak Ridge Tennessee 1945” Via: Ed Westcott/DOE Oak Ridge
Square Dancers Folk Dancers North Carolina
Via: Library of Congress
 Couples Dancing in Pennsylvania 1930s
“Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. Maher’s dance hall, showing a great number of dancers” 1938. Via: Sheldon Dick/Library of Congress
Couples Dancing to Live Jazz 1942 Chicago
“Dancing to the music of “Red” Sounders [i.e. Saunders] and his band at the Club DeLisa, Chicago, Illinois” 1942. Via: Jack Delano/Library of Congress
Young People Dancing in Outdoor Shelter with Jukebox 1950
“Dancing at the Hang-Out – Panama City, Florida.” 1950. Via: State Archives of Florida
Young People Dancing 1945
“Photo Ed Westcott 1945 Oak Ridge Tennessee” Via: Ed Westcott/DOE Oakridge
https://www.loc.gov/item/2017839750/
“Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Company dance given in Moose Hall by employees of the Hamilton Watch Company so that new employees might get acquainted” 1942. Via: Marjory Collins/Library of Congress
1940 Square Dancing in Pie Town New Mexico
“Swing your partner” figure in a square dance at Pie Town, New Mexico” 1940. Note the quilt on frame raised to the ceiling rather than being disassembled for the dance. Via: Russell Lee/Library of Congress
1940 Dance for Second Shift Workers
“Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) coeducational recreation program for the third shift and swing shift workers from 9 a.m. to 1 and midnight to 5 a.m. includes sports, singing and dancing” 1943. Via: Marjory Collins/Library of Congress
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