Tango was first danced in Europe before World War I, in 36 bars per minute tempo.  It originates from Buenos Aires (Argentina) where it was first danced in "Barria de Las Ranas," the ghetto of Buenos Aires.  It was then known under the name of "Baile con Corte" ("Dance with a Rest").  The "dandies" of Buenos Aires changed the dance in two ways.  First they changed the so-called "Polka rhythm" into the "Habanere rhythm" and secondly they called it Tango.

From 1900 onwards several amateurs tried to introduce the dance from Argentina into Paris, but without success.  Being rather an exotic dance, a sensuous creation of South nations, Tango initially did not become accepted by the European social establishment.  It was, however, still danced in the suburban areas and gained more and more popularity.

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