Dancing Through the Decades
This energetic dance, named after a city and featuring quick footwork and kicks, became a symbol of the Roaring Twenties.
What is the Charleston?
This singer released the album Thriller in 1982 and became known as the King of Pop.
Who is Michael Jackson?
This global economic crisis began with the U.S. stock market crash of 1929.
What is the Great Depression?
Swing music and big bands flourished during this decade, while the Great Depression shaped everyday life.
What are the 1930s?
This 1950s dance style developed in Cuba and is named for the shuffling sound the feet make as they move in its iconic step.
What is the Cha Cha?
This high-energy partner dance, popularized in the swing era, takes its name from a popular aviator, who made a famous transatlantic flight in 1927.
What is the Lindy Hop?
This British band, featuring John Lennon and Paul McCartney, performed on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, where they shocked the world with their extreme popularity.
Who are the Beatles?
This global conflict ended in 1945 after years of fighting across Europe, Asia, and other regions.
What is World War II?
Flappers, jazz clubs, stylistic dances, and the Harlem Renaissance helped define this decade.
What are the 1920s?
This dance style emerged from New York City's ballroom scene, particularly among Black and Latino LGBTQ+ communities, and features dramatic poses and stylized runway movements.
What is voguing?
This 1940s dance craze shares its name with its associated musical style and was popularized by soldiers during World War II.
What is the Swing?
Known as the King of Rock and Roll, this singer became famous for songs such as "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock."
Who is Elvis Presley?
With "one giant leap for mankind," this 1969 event saw Neil Armstrong take an incredibly important first step.
What is the Apollo 11 Moon Landing?
Rock and roll grew into a major youth-culture phenomenon, and sock hops became popular during this decade.
What are the 1950s?
This 1950s dance involves a partner or solo dancer twisting their hips and legs to the beat without needing elaborate footwork.
What is the Twist?
This 1970s dance style became synonymous with mirrored balls, flared pants, and nightclubs.
What is the Disco?
This television channel launched in 1981 with the music video "Video Killed the Radio Star."
What is MTV?
This global health crisis began spreading internationally in 2020, leading to lockdowns, canceled performances, and the growth of virtual events.
What is the COVID-19 pandemic?
Grunge, boy bands, girl groups, and the rise of the World Wide Web all helped define this decade.
What are the 1990s?
This 60s/70s dance style developed in Black and Latino communities in New York City, and was created by artists like Jo Jo, Mr. Wiggles and Crazy Legs.
What is breaking?
Emerging in the Bronx during the 1970s, this cultural movement includes DJing, MCing, graffiti art, and breaking.
What is the hip hop movement?
This Jamaican musician helped bring reggae music to a worldwide audience with songs such as "One Love" and "Three Little Birds."
Who is Bob Marley?
This 1930s spectacle entertainment craze was almost gladiatorial, and served as a precursor to modern-day reality TV, with its feats of endurance that included dancing for days on end, elimination events, and hero/villain characters.
What are Dance Marathons?
Punk rock, disco, funk, and the emergence of hip-hop helped shape this decade's diverse music scene.
What are the 1970s?
This dance style, developed by Don Campbell in the late 1960s and popularized in the 1970s, features whacky limbs, sudden stops, and goofy characters.
What is locking?