Harry Fox, a vaudeville star that trotted around the stage with various partners, chosen alternately from a dancing group, is generally accepted as the initiator of the fox trot. Mr. Fox was believed to be the first to use the “slow step”; hence the birth of the foxtrot. This first freestyle use of the “slow step” came into vogue around 1912. During this period of ragtime music, beginning in 1910, a completely new phase of ballroom dancing was born. Partners danced much closer together, ad-libbed to the music, and found this new ragtime music exciting and exhilarating. Prior to this time, the polka, waltz and the one-step were popular. In these dances partners were held at arms length and a set pattern was observed. By 1915, another change took place, a new and melodious type of music was being written, and tunes like “oh, you beautiful doll” and “Ida” were the smash hits of the day. The public was quick to appreciate the change to a smoother, more rhythmic style of music, and their dancing began to absorb the better attributes of the older dances. From 1917 up to the present time, the accent has been placed on smoother dancing and individualized expression. By 1960, the international style of dancing was making its way into the United States ballrooms and many of the techniques were implemented into the American style fox trot. As of this writing, the main difference between the two styles is that the international style foxtrot is danced entirely in contact maintaining the normal dance hold, while the American style will allow for complete freedom of expression utilizing various dance holds and positions Back To Our List of Dances