What gives gov’ment the power to rule?
Divine right was once a useful tool
Locke said folks represent
With the people’s consent
Tyranny? That’s just really not cool

Event: Birth of John Locke
Year: 1632
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke

Dick the Third lost his kingdom, of course
The one he tried to trade for a horse
And House Plantagenet
At Bosworth its end met
Henry Tudor took his crown by force

Event: The Battle of Bosworth Field, the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses, which saw the end of the Plantagenet Dynasty (through the death of Richard III) and the rise of the Tudor Dynasty
Year: 1485
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bosworth_Field

Though his first try had no vict’ry brought
Kublai Khan chose to take one more shot
But his first loss was twinned
As that same divine wind
Throughout his mighty fleet chaos wrought

Event: The Mongol fleet is ravaged by a typhoon at the Battle of Kōan, ending their second attempt to invade Japan
Year: 1281
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_K%C5%8Dan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamikaze_%28disambiguation%29

Th’Inquisition, you never expect
The Armada? Now, that can be checked
Fear of Drake’s fire ships
Caused some large Spanish slips
The invasion plans? They were, well, wrecked

Event: The English defeat the Spanish Armada at the Battle of Gravelines
Year: 1588
Learn more: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Armada

Long before the U.S.’ slaves were free
They were given their rights ‘cross the sea
It would take several years
‘Fore they could let out cheers
But it started in eighteen-three-three

Event: Slavery Abolition Act 1833 goes into effect in the United Kingdom
Year: 1834
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_Abolition_Act_1833

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

She’s had no less than twelve books come out
Since that fateful day with water spout
With remarkable wits
On a quarter she sits
Handicapped? What are you talkin’ ’bout?

Event: Birth of Helen Keller
Year: 1880
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Keller