Though the twist at the end’s meant to stun
Far more shocking’s the length of its run
Now they’re caught in the trap
All the West Enders clap
With no sign that the show’ll e’er be done

Event: The Mousetrap, written by Agatha Christie, opens in the West End of London. With more than 25,000 shows, it is the longest continually-running production of any kind in the world
Year: 1952
Learn more: The Mousetrap

Placing apple atop the boy’s head
Albrecht Gessler “Just shoot it off!” said
William Tell did not bow
Nor did skill fail him now
Soon ’twas Gessler, not son, who’d be dead

Event: William Tell shoots an apple off his son’s head
Year: 1307
Learn more: William Tell
Apfelschuss
William Tell Overture

That the terms were unfair was a fact
But the army was done, Kaiser sacked
So they went to their knees
Midst the Compiègne trees
Little wonder the peace later cracked

Event: The German delegation agrees to the Allies’ fairly lopsided terms for ending the war in a train car in the forest of Compiègne, France. The armistice goes into effect at 11:00 Paris time.
Year: 1918
Learn more: Armistice of 11 November

When America took in the Shah
Zealous students conspiracy saw
Fifty-two were inside
Swept beneath the young tide
Diplomatic immunity? Nah

Event: The Muslim Student Followers of the Imam’s Line seize the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, beginning the Iran hostage crisis
Year: 1979
Learn more: Iran hostage crisis