Harry Fox, a vaudeville star of the ragtime era, is accepted as the inventor of the Foxtrot.  The Ragtime Era was characterized by partners dancing closer together than any other time period in history.  Foxtrot is a "walking  dance" and can be danced to varying tempos. 

The earliest traces of the Tango date back to the folk dances of Argentina.  Thought to have a Moorish, Arabic, and Spanish ancestry, it was an ancient Spanish song-form adapted to the dance.  Later, the Argentinean Gauchos danced a version of the Tango in the bawdy cafes of Buenos Aires. 

The German Landler, a folk dance, is supposed to be the forerunner of the Waltz.  When it was first introduced in ballrooms in the early 19th century, it was met with outraged indignation, since it was the first dance where couples danced in a closed position with the man's arm around the lady's waist. Today, there is a slower American style and the faster Viennese style.

The Viennese Waltz was first danced in the courts of European royalty during the 1800's.  It has the charm and sophistication so typical of  this period of history.  It is a dance that requires a great deal of control due in part to the speed of the music.

The Jitterbug originated in the southern United States.  The earliest forms of the Jitterbug included the Charleston, Black Bottom, Shag, and Lindy Hop. For years, many establishments frowned on the wilder forms of Swing because of the acrobatics involved, though they are FUN FUN FUN.  Today, two distinctive styles of Swing are danced in ballrooms- The Eastern style, and the Western style.

Western Swing is a highly stylized, slow-tempo version of Swing, danced enthusiastically in all parts of the United States. This compact 'slotted" way of dancing allows the man to "show off" the lady on a small crowded dance floor.

The Rumba, which began with the African slaves of Cuba more than 400 years ago, is a tantalizing rhythm that first invaded North America in the early 1930's.  Danced properly, the Rumba is a romantic favorite characterized by a smooth hip motion and heavy walking steps.

The Cha Cha derives its personality, character, and rhythm from two major dance sources.  Its music is a very slow Mambo, and its triple steps are taken from Swing.  The tempo is slow and staccato.  Cha Cha is so much an "on the beat" dance that you can't help injecting your own feelings into it.  This makes the dance fun for all ages and stages.

The Samba became famous in Rio de Janeiro.  The rhythmic strumming of a strumming of a stringed instrument continually interrupts the expressive melodic line.  Samba is characterized by a syncopated beat that makes it unique from all other dances.  The Samba is danced in a moderate to slow tempo in South America, but until recently, the tempo in North America was always very fast.

The Latin dance band of Perez Prado recorded a song called "Mambo Jambo" and the Mambo mania began!  The explosive beat of the Mambo invaded popular music, and even classical themes have been set to the rhythm.  The characteristics of the Mambo include much pelvic body movement and a strongly accented "up" beat.  Mambo is a formal ballroom dance, and Salsa is its nightclub sister, with much room for creativity and originality.

Bolero was introduced to North America in the mid 1930's.  Although Bolero appears comparatively easy to perform, it requires a special feeling and response to its beautiful music.  It is often compared to a mix between Rumba and Waltz, and is sometimes called "The Cuban dance of love".

Paso Doble music was originally intended for use at Spanish bull fights when a toreador was victorious in the ring.  It was brought to this country by Flamenco dancers and has been a favorite ever since.  In the social version, the gentleman portrays the  toreador and the lady his cape.

Haiti and the Dominican Republic, long in competition for tourist trade, are also rivals in claiming to have originated the Merengue.  The Haitian story is that an early ruler had a lame son that liked to dance.  In order that the lad not feel too self conscious, the entire government took to dancing as if they were lame.  The Dominican story differs slightly.  Their version says the Merengue was born at a dance given for a great hero returning from the wars.  He got up to dance and limped on his wounded left leg.  Rather than embarrass the hero, all others present followed suit.

The Two Step originated in the 1800's by European immigrants.  It was an offspring of the minuet and was danced as QQSS (quick, quick, slow, slow).  In old days when women were not allowed to dance with men, men danced it together, and that is the reason for the hand on the shoulder holding a beer.  The dance is very popular throughout the United States.

The Hustle is a form of Swing which had its beginning in the mid 1970's and enjoys some continuing popularity today.  The record "Do the Hustle" was followed by the movie "Saturday Night Fever", starring John Travolta.  This movie portrayed a partner dance to the popular beat of top-selling music from the BeeGees.  The introduction of the Discotheque setting, popular for some years in Europe, took America by storm.