Tap dance is a type of dance characterized by using the sounds of metal taps affixed to the heel and toe of shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion.

Many of us watched several films. Some dancers beat their feet on the ground to create slave-like rhythm and music. However, it was the brothers Fired and Harold, who mixed classic tap dancing with acrobatic movements, performed the most famous of tap dancing segments. So what is tap dancing?

For starters, there are two types of tap dancing: rhythmic (jazz) tap and Broadway tap, which focuses on the dance itself and is frequently performed on the musical stage. Rhythmic percussion focuses on musical talent, so that dancers describe themselves as part of the jazz legacy. There are in fact special shoes designed with a metal plate on the heel and forefoot that produce the clicking sound, and there are different types of these shoes that sometimes can result in multiple sounds.

The origins of tap dancing can be traced back to African, Scottish and Irish tribes, the English clog dance, the oboe dance, and the jig dance. It is believed that the beginning of the emergence of tap dancing was in the middle of the eighteenth century during the renaissance of the concerts of the minstrel show, as William Henry, known as Mister Guba became one of the few black dancers who joined the owners of the white-skinned singing group, and is one of the most famous founders of dance Foveal.

As minstrel show popularity declined, tap dancing moved into the more popular stage of vaudeville. During the early stages, the majority of vaudeville stage dancers were duets. The Buck and Yiles duo thus became famous. They perfected the sublime style of class act - a stage performance in which actors wear rather elegant tuxedos, which then became a popular form of tap dancing.

A prominent figure appeared during this period who was proficient in Buck-and-wing dancing, and Irish dancing. It was Bill Robinson who joined the vaudeville group in 1902 in a duet that brought him together with George W. Cooper.

Their section quickly became popular and well-known across the country. Nevertheless, the duo quarreled and their partnership ended in 1908. Later, Robinson decided to gamble on his popularity and perform a solo dance, as it was rare for a black-skinned man at that time to take this step. Regardless, he achieved tremendous success and soon after that he became an international celebrity.

Shortly after, the Nicholas Brothers appeared. This team amazed the crowd by mixing the classic style of dancing with acrobatic movements, and the duo presented a wonderful scene in the film Windy Weather as they danced up and down the ladder.

During the 1930s, tap dancing was mixed with Lindy Hop and some of her movements such as "somersaulting and spinning" accompanied the click movement of the feet. Nonetheless, in the mid-late 1950s, entertainment methods differed, with the popularity of jazz and tap dance declining while rock, roller and modern jazz dance emerged.

The so-called jazz dance indeed includes tap dancing. Both dances have many common movements, but jazz developed separately from tap dancing to become a new independent art. Dancers usually use improvisation, so tap dancing may follow the rhythm of the music being played, or can be performed without music at all. There is also the rhythmic tap and the tap dancers who usually dance "closer to the ground" using foot movements, not body and arm movements.

As for what has spread later, it is the "accidental click" in which arm movements are used. This method became popular because many found accidental clicking more enjoyable to watch, and because it became popular when it was shown on Broadway.

Modern tap dancers such as Fred Astaire provided many halls, devoted to tap dancing. Jane Kelly also introduced some ballet moves to the tap dancing style, as this method of clicking led to what is now known as Broadway style.

Nowadays, the Emily Award winner’s quote broadcast in a 1979 documentary: "No Racism in Pinball” along with the resounding success of the cartoon Happy Feet have boosted the popularity of tap dancing have helped the current renaissance of tap dancing.

There is also an international day for tap dancing in the United States on May 25 which represents the birth date of the famous tap dancer Bill Bojangles Robinso.

As the world celebrates Tap Dancing International Day, there is no doubt that this classic art is here to stay.