In the thick of the Art Deco storm
Many prominent skylines took form
From the Bay to New York
Th’architectural stork
Brought the sites to which tourists now swarm

Events: The Chrysler Building opens to the public. It was the tallest building in the world for almost a full year before being surpassed by the Empire State Building.
The Golden Gate Bridge opens to the public. It was the world’s longest suspension bridge until 1964, when it was surpassed by the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. It remains to this day the world’s orangest bridge.
Years: 1930; 1937
Learn more: Chrysler Building
Golden Gate Bridge
Art Deco

Now to Google we all tip our caps
As the world’s leading resource for maps
But in times long before
Going to a map store
Was much more like the shooting of craps

Event: Abraham Ortelius publishes Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, the first modern atlas
Year: 1570
Learn more: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum

Stealing softly ‘neath night’s ebon veil
Little Planter from Charleston’d sail
With the captain ashore
Plucky Smalls saw a door
To a place he could new freedom hail

Event: Slave pilot Robert Smalls took the steamer Planter from Charleston Harbor, sailed past the Confederate lines, and turned the ship over to the Union forces, earning freedom for himself and 15 others aboard
Year: 1862
Learn more: USS Planter
Robert Smalls

There was Germany born, riding high
World War I came to end with a sigh
From a small lodge for sport
To the home of the court
Royal power, thy name was Versailles

Event: Louis XIV relocates the French royal court to the Palace at Versailles
Year: 1682
Learn more: Palace of Versailles