Ragtime: A Timeline of History and Fiction

Historical fiction is a genre of literature that involves reconstructing the past. Often inspired by historical events, creators of this genre may incorporate real events or people into their fictitious stories.  

Ragtime originated as a 1975 historical fiction novel by E.L. Doctorow. The story takes place at the start of the 20th century and follows a mix of fictional and historical characters as they experience key events in American history at that time. Although the overall story of the three main families involved is imagined, many of the events referenced throughout the story are not only factual, but also integral to the experiences of the characters. And in this story, some of the characters are also based on actual historical figures, like Booker T. Washington, Evelyn Nesbit, and Harry Houdini.  

Learning about what was happening in America at the turn of the 20th century provides a deeper understanding of the musical, and what motivates each character to act in the ways that they do throughout the show. 

Most of the events referenced in the show take place between the years 1901 – 1916, with the Epilogue included, but sometimes they don’t take place in the same order in the show as they did in real life. 

1901

President William McKinley is assassinated; Vice President Teddy Roosevelt becomes President. Emma Goldman is falsely accused of McKinley assassination and arrested.

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Booker T. Washington is invited to dine with now President Teddy Roosevelt, becoming the first Black American to be in the White House. Roosevelt saw Washington as a “brilliant advisor on racial matters.” It was a controversial move, but ultimately an invitation that continued to be extended by the next president. 

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1902

In Ragtime: Father builds a house in New Rochelle.

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1902 – 1906

J.P. Morgan Library is built, housing artifacts from around the world

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1906

Harry Thaw kills Stanford White, setting in motion the “Trial of the Century” that centers Evelyn Nesbit.

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1907

Scott Joplin “the King of Ragtime” moves to New York City. Some of his most famous songs include “Maple Leaf Rag” (1899) and “The Entertainer” (1902).

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1908

Henry Ford introduces the Model T and popularizes mass production.

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In Ragtime: Coalhouse Walker Jr. owns a Model T car.

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1909

Admiral Robert Peary (L) and Matthew Henson (R) reach the North Pole.

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W.E.B. Du Bois founds the NAACP; Du Bois was in support of desegregation of Black and white Americans, in opposition to Booker T. Washington’s view that Black Americans should remain separate from whites but be granted equal access to education, economic progress, and justice under US courts (a key point of note for Coalhouse!)

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1911

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire occurs. You can learn more about this via the Tenement Museum’s Rogarshevsky Family activities and research.

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1912

Lawrence Textile Strike aka the Bread and Roses Strike (the “Children’s Exodus” was part of it).

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In Ragtime: Tateh and the Little Girl are present at the Lawrence Textile Strike strike, and Emma Goldman tells New Yorkers about it.

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That same year, the Titanic sinks.

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1914

Archduke Franz Ferdinand is killed, marking the beginning of WWI.

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In Ragtime: “Warn the duke!” is a phrase said by The Little Boy throughout the show; this is the event he was referring to, as though he somehow predicted it.

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1915

Lusitania ship sinks

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In Ragtime: Father was on board the Lusitania, presumed dead.

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1916

In Ragtime: Tateh proposes to Mother; she accepts and they join their families.

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SOURCES:

Table of Contents

Creators & Characters

Joshua Henry Interview

Timeline

Career Spotlight: Daniel Koa Beaty

Activities

Glossary

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