Here Are The Stories Behind 9 WEIRD Great Depression-Era Fads And Crazes

Despite the general popularity of these competitions (dance marathon historian Carol Martin claimed that during the time period most American cities with a population over 50,000 hosted a dance marathon), there were many groups who were opposed to them, including churches who considered dancing “sinful,” movie theater owners who believed the entertainment the marathons provided were harming their business, and others who objected solely on the basis of inhumane conditions.

Due to criticism and restrictive laws, dance marathons were largely banned in the US in the late 1930s and therefore faded out of popularity.