<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article contains weasel words: vague phrasing that often accompanies biased or unverifiable information . Such statements should be clarified or removed . (April 2016) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article contains weasel words: vague phrasing that often accompanies biased or unverifiable information . Such statements should be clarified or removed . (April 2016) </Td> </Tr> <P> 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 association in the 20th century with the romanticized image of the American cowboy . Square dancing is, therefore, strongly associated with the United States . Nineteen U.S. states have designated it as their official state dance . </P> <P> The various square dance movements are based on the steps and figures used in traditional folk dances and social dances from many countries . Some of these traditional dances include English Country Dance, Caledonians and the quadrille . Square dancing is enjoyed by people of all ages around the world, and people around the world are involved in the continuing development of this form of dance . </P>

Ballroom dance performed by four couples in a square formation