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Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie because March 31 is Dance Marathon Day! This fun-filled day celebrates the joy of dance and the power it has to bring people together. The first dance marathon was held in 1923 by Alma Cummings, who danced for 27 hours straight with her partner. Since then, dance marathons have become popular fundraising events for various causes. Whether you're a professional dancer or just love busting a move in your living room, this day is all about letting loose and having a good time. So let's keep the party going all day long!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1923</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Reported Dance Marathon</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first known dance marathon took place in Audubon, New Jersey, though they increased in popularity during the Great Depression.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1932</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Alma Cummings Sets Record</div><div class='timeline-text'>Alma Cummings, a famous dance marathon competitor, danced for a total of 27 consecutive hours, setting a world record.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1985</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Penn State THON</div><div class='timeline-text'>Penn State holds its first THON, a student-run philanthropy event where students dance for 46 hours straight to raise money for pediatric cancer.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2006</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rackham Graduate School Event</div><div class='timeline-text'>Rackham Graduate School holds a 30-hour dance marathon, raising funds for C.S. Mott's Children's Hospital.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2017</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Largest Dance Marathon</div><div class='timeline-text'>The University of Iowa's Dance Marathon sets the record for the largest event to date, raising over $3 million for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a dance party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends and throw a dance party to celebrate Dance Marathon Day! Put on some upbeat music, break out your best moves, and have a blast with your friends.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a dance performance</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Support your local dance community by attending a dance performance on Dance Marathon Day. You'll not only be celebrating the art of dance, but also supporting talented dancers in your community.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Participate in a dance marathon</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a local charity or organization that is hosting a dance marathon and sign up to participate. You'll have a blast dancing all day while also raising money for a good cause.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Learn a new dance style</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Challenge yourself to learn a new dance style on Dance Marathon Day. You can take a class, watch online tutorials, or even just learn from a friend. It's a great way to expand your dance skills and celebrate the day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Join a flash mob</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather a group of friends and plan a flash mob to perform on Dance Marathon Day. It's a fun and unexpected way to celebrate and spread joy through dance in your community.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's for a good cause</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Dance Marathon Day is all about raising money and awareness for charitable causes, often related to children's health and wellness. By participating in this event, you are helping make a positive impact on the world - and what's better than that?</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a fun way to get active</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>What better way to stay active and get some exercise than by dancing? Dance Marathon Day encourages people of all ages and abilities to participate in dance parties or marathons, making it a great opportunity to have fun while also staying healthy!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings people together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Dancing is a universal language that can bring people from all backgrounds together. Whether you're participating in person or virtually, Dance Marathon Day allows communities to come together for a common cause and celebrate the joy of dance.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Dance Marathons Began as Stunt Promotions</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the early 20th century, dance marathons were organized as promotional stunts by venues seeking to draw large crowds, who flocked to see dancers competing for prizes.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Dance Marathon as a Test of Endurance</h3><p class='facts-content'>The original dance marathons were endurance contests where couples danced almost non-stop to see who could last the longest. Some competitions could last several weeks.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>They Became Popular During the Great Depression</h3><p class='facts-content'>During the Great Depression, dance marathons became extremely popular as a way for participants to try to win cash prizes at a time when jobs were scarce.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Dance Marathons Are Now Mostly Charity Events</h3><p class='facts-content'>Modern-day dance marathons are more often philanthropic events that raise money for charity, with The Children's Miracle Network hosting many such events across the United States annually.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>THON at Penn State is the Largest Collegiate Dance Marathon</h3><p class='facts-content'>THON, held by Pennsylvania State University, is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, having raised over $167 million for pediatric cancer research since its inception in 1977.</p></div></div>
Dance Marathon Day is celebrated on March 31 every year. In 2024 Dance Marathon Day will occur on a Sunday.
2023
Mar 31
Friday
2024
Mar 31
Sunday
2025
Mar 31
Monday
2026
Mar 31
Tuesday
2027
Mar 31
Wednesday
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