Square dance Square dance A square dance is a dance for four couples (eight dancers in total) arranged in a square, with one couple on each side, facing the middle of the square. Square dances were first documented in 16th-century England but were also quite common in France and throughout Europe. They came to North America with the European settlers and have undergone considerable development there. In some countries and regions, through preservation and repetition, square dances have attained the status of a folk dance. The Western American square dance may be the most widely known form worldwide, possibly due to its
Modern western square dance dance, and to exercise. Modern western square dancing is found in many countries across the world. The main centers are where United States military servicemen spread the dance during the 1950s through 1980s. Modern square dancing is found in such diverse cultures as Japan, Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Spain, Germany and Australia. While calling was originally in English, local traditions are beginning to develop, as the influence of the American home of modern square dance becomes more distant. It is common to meet many international dancers at large gatherings of dancers. Once a person learns the Callerlab-defined calls,