I believe this is referring to the Contra groups of Central American nations
They had airlifts flown to Berlin to drop supplies
The Impact of the Erie Canal - Rochester
The Erie Canal was built from the Hudson River to Lake Erie. It improved the economy in some cities in New York such as Buffalo Lockport, and Rochester. It lead New York to industrialization. It decreased the cost of transporting goods.
Answer:
While it is most often used to mean equally impractical and idealistic, it also has the sense of romantic nobility. It's source is from the great Spanish novel "Don Quixote",whose title character is given to unrealistic schemes and great chivalry.