Yo! We got some tea for you. Here’s the scoop on how spring break ever became a thing. Grab a cold one and settle in because it’s definitely nothing you’d ever expect. Here’s the history on one of the wildest and most anticipated times of the year
So, it all actually started in the 1930s when a group of college swimmers from up north came down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to train in the warm weather during their winter break. They stayed at a local hotel and, as you can imagine, had themselves a grand ol’ time in the sunshine state. The following year, they came back, and even more swimmers joined them. The trend caught on, and soon other college students started flocking to Fort Lauderdale during their spring break to soak up some rays and party.
But it wasn’t until the 1960s that spring break truly exploded in popularity. In 1960, a local swim forum event was held in Fort Lauderdale, drawing in thousands of college students from all over the country. It was during this time that the city became known as the “spring break capital of the world.” Students would flock to the city, lining the streets with cars, creating a massive traffic jam that would last for miles. The beaches were packed, and the hotels were filled to capacity. The party atmosphere was infectious, and students would spend all day soaking up the sun and partying all night.
As the years went on, the city of Fort Lauderdale struggled to keep up with the growing crowds and the chaos that ensued. They tried implementing various measures to control the crowds, such as curfews and closing off parts of the beach. But nothing could slow down the madness that went on. Instead, the partygoers simply moved to other parts of Florida like Panama City, and other spring break hotspots This led to the emergence of Cancun and the Bahamas.
As time went on, spring break continued to evolve and become more popular throughout the decades. It has become a rite of passage for many college students, and a time to let loose and enjoy life without the stress of studying and exams.
Today, spring break has transformed into a HUGE industry, with businesses and resorts catering specifically to the spring break crowd (like us!). But despite the commercialization of spring break, the essence of what it represents remains the same.
