Where did tap dancing come from?

Tap dancing is a form of dance characterized by using the sounds of one's shoes tapping on the floor as percussion. It originated in the early 19th century in the United States among African American slaves. They combined elements of African rhythms and European dance steps, creating a unique form of expression. Tap dancing was initially performed as a form of entertainment for plantation owners and later spread to vaudeville and Broadway stages, gaining popularity in the early 20th century.