Long before much about space was known
We’ve not wanted to think we’re alone
Could it be that some race
Made that most famous face
That was carved out of red Martian stone?

Event: Viking 1 takes a picture of the famous “Face on Mars”
Year: 1976
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cydonia_%28region_of_Mars%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking_1

Though it may never happen again
Perfect was possible way back when
And I’m happy to say
Nadia picked this day
To stun crowds with the very first ten

Event: Nadia Comăneci becomes the first woman to score a perfect 10.0 in Olympic gymnastics
Year: 1976
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadia_Com%C4%83neci

In addition, the Wordsman would like to commemorate all the remarkable individuals born on this day, in such years as 1811, 1867, 1918, 1921, 1950, and 1986

For all time, man has looked to the sky
To see something new, that’s what we try
He who stands quite alone
Is one Jean-Louis Pons
Blessed with a most remarkable eye

Event: Jean-Louis Pons discovers his first comet. He would later discover thirty-six more, more than any other person in history.
Year: 1801
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Louis_Pons

A remarkable day to be free
From the Philippines to Tuskegee
Even government docs
Now no longer have locks
It’s not all revolutionary

Events: Adoption of the Declaration of Independence; Establishment of the Tuskegee Normal School (later Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University); the Philippines gain independence from the United States; Enactment of the Freedom of Information Act
Years: 1776; 1881; 1946; 1966
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuskegee_Institute
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Philippines_(1898–1946)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_Information_Act_%28United_States%29