400 years ago(1588) : the battle of the spanish armada : England wrested control of the oceans from the spanish, portuguese, dutch, french(re-proven at trafalger, nelson's victory-in-death). Thus all the coasts of the world became british trade zones, the english language naturally followed. Thus ENGLISH is the world's language because of that long ago naval battle...it's a variation of the golden rule. In this case it was ownership of the oceans as the "gold" and he who owns the gold makes the rules...did you know the Union Jack is part of the Hawaiian State Flag?
That would be Trafalgar, not Trafalger...
All hail the Union Jack! It still flies over Fort Ligonier (a reconstituted British 18th century fort from the French and Indian War Years circa 1760) in Somerset County PA. The site is looking forward to reenactments at October's Fort Ligonier Days celebration.