Speculation bejeweled Wall Street’s crown
But what’s up will most surely come down
And the twenties’ last roar
Told us what was in store
As the bears drove the bulls out of town

Event: The Crash
Year: 1929
Learn more: Black Tuesday

First world problems: when Vanderbilts fret
‘Cause they cannot fine opera seats get
By old money door shown,
They just started their own
And ’twas thus they gave birth to the Met

Event: New York’s Metropolitan Opera opens its first season (and its new opera house) with a performance of Faust
Year: 1883
Learn more: Metropolitan Opera

“I’m a daughter of Java,” she claimed
For her body this dancer was famed
With her feminine wiles
She smuggled out files
“Femme fatale,” is now how she is named

Event: Mata Hari executed for espionage
Year: 1917
Learn more: Mata Hari

The whole region was suff’ring from drought
And a strong southwest wind was about
All around the great lake
Did the flames start to take
A cow did it? There may be some doubt

Event: The Great Chicago Fire (along with several other significant fires around Lake Michigan) begins
Year: 1871
Learn more: Great Chicago Fire
Peshtigo Fire
Great Michigan Fire

Like a rocket ship held to the ground
For their speed these white streaks are renowned
Ride on hope or on light
But be sure the time’s right
These torpedoes do not wait around

Event: The first shinkansen (bullet train) runs from Tokyo to Osaka
Year: 1964
Learn more: Shinkansen