25 September 2013

fandango

[fan-dang-goh]

noun, plural fan·dan·gos.

1. a lively Spanish or Spanish-American dance in triple time, performed by a man and woman playing castanets.
2. a piece of music for such a dance or one having its rhythm.
3. (especially in the southwest U.S.) a ball or dance.
Origin:
1740–50; < Spanish, of uncertain origin

Today’s aphorism

If you want to make enemies, try to change something.

– Woodrow Wilson

On this day

25 September 1780 – Major General Benedict Arnold, joins the British during the American Revolution, becoming forever known as a traitor. Arnold had been a successful officer. He had trained patriot (American) troops using his own time and money after the government failed to provide the resources he felt necessary for a successful Army. He leading troops to victory in the battle of Saratoga where he was injured. While recuperating his commanding officer claimed the credit for the victory. Some of his enemies had him unfairly charged with dereliction of duty. Arnold had invested considerable time, money and effort in the American forces, but felt betrayed and that the revolution had been corrupted. He claimed his only option was to change sides. He eventually moved to London, however, he was not welcomed there because he was seen as a traitor to his own country. He died in 1801.

25 September 1958 – End of World War I in Andorra … Andorra was not invited to the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, so diplomatic peace between Germany and Andorra, relating to World War I, was not settled until this date. Refer to 12 September 1990 for the end of World War II.

25 September 1980 – death of John Bonham, Led Zeppelin drummer. Born 31 May 1948.

25 September 2005 – death of Don Adams, American actor, most famous for his character Maxwell Smart (Agent 86) in the TV show ‘Get Smart’. Born 13 April 1923. Famous catchphrases include ‘missed it by that much‘, ‘would you believe …‘, ‘sorry about that Chief‘, ‘the old [something] trick‘, ‘that’s the second […..] I’ve ever seen‘.