Buenos Aires (Argentina) was founded by a Spanish expedition in 1536, then again in 1580. Immigration brought many French, Spanish and Italians to Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires went on to become a major city. In 1816 the Waltz was introduced to Argentina, then came the Polka, Mazurka and Schottische. Spanish and Cuban rhythms mixed and the Habanera was born.
-The Habanera music and dance came from Havana, Cuba and made its way thru Spain to Argentina in the early 19th century. The Habanera and the Polka played a part in the Argentine Dance> known as the 'Milonga' ("Poor Mans Habanera"). The Milonga originated as a song with lively improvisations and a peppy tempo. When this tempo was quieted down and steps were added to it making the Milonga the first known Tango but had not yet been named as such. However the Milonga was very popular by the 1870's.
