Ring Dance began on May 15, 1936, and was conceived by a group of seniors who decided that since the Aggie ring is the traditional mark of one whose days on the campus are soon to be over, a dance with the ring as the predominant theme would be appropriate as a final function of the Senior Class. The first Ring Dance had no admission charge and was preceded by the Senior Banquet. It took place with an orchestra in the mess hall and had one plaster of paris Ring replica for the official portraits. Ring Dance occurred from 8 pm to 12 pm because there was a rule on campus that there couldn't be any dances on Sunday.

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In 1941, Ring Dance had two giant Rings for pictures and the traditional "Ring Ceremony". Cadets would tell their dates they had to go through both rings for the "double-ring ceremony" but it was really to get another kiss.

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1943 and 1945 were the only years to see two separate class Ring Dances. Because of the wars, the school cycle went to a 12-month "express" cycle. One Ring Dance was held in January for one graduating class; the other in May for the next group of graduates.

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In 1949, two Ring Dances were also held; one Friday night and one on Saturday night. But rather than being because of the war and "express" graduates, this was due to the number of participants: over 2400 people attended. In order to help get everyone through the rings in an organized manner, the Senior class issued cards saying what night each couple was to go to.

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Ring Dance was one room of entertainment, an orchestra, until 1978. At that time, another entertainment option was made available: a rock band. The entertainment increased to three rooms in 1989, four rooms in 1993, seven rooms in 1997, and eight rooms in 1998. The variety of entertainment over the years has ranged from orchestra to Tejano to country to a piano bar.

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Since its creation in 1936, Ring Dance has come to be as much a part of Aggieland as the many older traditions that have existed as long as the school itself. This dance will be for many the last social function of their years at Aggieland.

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As each Senior steps into the replica of the Aggie Ring, they can turn their ring so that the class year no longer faces them-it faces the world. Seniors are able to reflect over the past years spent in Aggieland and anticipate the future. As each person steps away from the ring, another two step in, continuing the tradition that will go on as long as there is an Aggieland.