On this day in history, September 21, 1780, Benedict Arnold betrays cause of American independence

Join Fox News for exclusive access to content and select articles for free by entering your email. Today in history, on Sept. 21, 1780, Benedict Arnold met with a British commander to plot trading West Point for cash, leading to his betrayal of the American Revolution. Despite his previous heroism on the battlefield, Arnold’s greed and resentment are believed to have motivated his treacherous act. His defection shocked the nation, and his name is forever associated with betrayal. Arnold’s military successes were overshadowed by his vanity and greed, culminating in his infamous betrayal.