Dance marathon

History of Dance Marathons

By arosie1993
  • Jan 1, 1364

    Dance Marathon First Appears

    Traced back to London in 1364.

  • Dance Marathons Reappearance

    Dance Marathons became a popular endurance competition. Couples would dance for hours on end (sometimes 100+) hours to show just how long they could last on the dance floor. Prizes in both material and cash forms were also given out at these marathons and anyone was allowed to enter.

  • The Great Depression

    Many people chose to participate in marathons during the Great Depression because they were an "easy" way to earn some money and prizes.

  • Penn States First Dance Marathon

  • The Death Of Ryan White

    Ryan was a sick boy who ended up being a spokesperson and activist for people with HIV. Ryan later ended up even befriending celebrities such as Elton John and Michael Jackson through his activist work. His death, while not entirely unexpected, really took a toll on his friends and family. He planned on attending Indiana University. Therefore, his friends decided they wanted to do something that would keep his memory alive and pay tribute to him.

  • First Day IUDM (Indiana Dance Marathon) was held

    Jill Stewart Waibel (Ryan's friend) created the dance marathon and it went on for three whole days. The money raised through this philanthropy went to Riley's Children's Hospital, the hopsital that Ryan was treated at.

  • The Second Day of IUDM

  • The Third Day of IUDM

  • 50 Universities all participating and having their own Dance Marathon

  • Badgerthon (Dance Marathon) comes to Wisconsin

    This organization comes to Wisconsin and starts having Dance marathons every following year after.

  • 100 Universities have Dance Marathon on their campuses

  • 250 Universities have Dance Marathon on their campuses

  • Badgerthon at the University of Wisconsin Madison

  • Badgerthon at the University of Wisconsin-Madison