The Mojave’s a brutal expanse
Fit to live? You’d not think at first glance
But the Dam made Lake Mead
And it keeps them AC’ed
Now I’d say they’ve a fighting good chance

Event: Hoover Dam (or Boulder Dam, to sticklers) is dedicated
Year: 1935
Learn more: Hoover Dam

“Don’t be daft, Christine! Don’t be a fool!
You can’t marry this opera house ghoul!”
“If he takes me to wife
It will save your sweet life
My beloved, my darling Raoul!”

Event: The first installment of The Phantom of the Opera is published in Le Gaulois
Year: 1909
Learn more: The Phantom of the Opera (novel)
The Phantom of the Opera (Broadway musical)
The Phantom of the Opera (pinball machine)

This entry should have appeared yesterday, September 16th:

Dating back to old Cyrus the Great
Many dozens had reigned to that date
But as Shah they miscast
He who would be the last
And in 40 years check, and then mate

Event: Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, last monarch of Iran/Persia, takes (or, if you prefer, “is put on”) the throne
Year: 1941
Learn more: Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
List of kings of Persia

Now of battle, there’s not much he’d know
Not compared to that General T’so
But that don’t make his chicken
No less finger-lickin’
As a fryer, the guy was a pro

Event: Birth of Harland Sanders (who was a real Colonel, but not in the military)
Year: 1890
Learn more: Colonel Sanders
Kentucky colonel

When diplomacy needs to be slick
Speaking softly’s just half of the trick
Let it widely be seen
That it’s business you mean
As you quietly hold a big stick

Event: Soon-to-be President Theodore Roosevelt describes the gist of his foreign policy as “Speak softly, and carry a big stick” in a speech at the Minnesota State Fair
Year: 1901
Learn more: Big Stick ideology
The Great Minnesota Get-Together