| Year |
Developments in Jazz |
Historical Events |
| 1619 |
|
- The first Africans are sold into slavery in America.
|
| 1817 |
- New Orleans city council establishes "Congo Square" as an official site for slave music and dance.
|
- Harvard Law School is founded.
- Mississippi becomes a state.
- James Monroe is elected president.
|
| 1865 |
|
- Slavery is abolished in the U.S. by the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
|
| 1892 |
- Pianist Tommy Turpin writes Harlem Rag, the first known ragtime composition.
|
- The Homestead Strike, one of the most serious labor disputes in U.S. history occurred in Pittsburgh.
- General Electric Company is founded.
|
| 1895 |
- Pianist Scott Joplin publishes his first two rags.
- Cornetist Buddy Bolden forms his band.
|
|
| 1896 |
|
- Racial segregation is upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Radio technology is introduced.
|
| 1897 |
- The first piano rags appear in print.
- Ragtime grows in popularity.
|
- First subway in the U.S. created in Boston.
- William McKinney is elected President.
|
| 1898 |
|
- The U.S. goes to war with Spain.
|
| 1899 |
- Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag is published and sells over 100,000 copies.
- Duke Ellington is born.
|
- Felix Hoffman patents Aspirin.
- Spanish rule ends in Cuba.
|
