King of Italy–most, but not all–
VE II oversaw one last brawl
See, a king needs a home
So they had to take Rome
Blow a hole in Aurelian’s wall

Event: Troops enter Rome through a hole in the city wall near the Porta Pia, completing the unification of Italy
Year: 1870
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Unification

I know I, even as I get old
Have an urge that cannot be controlled
When the wrapper I tear
From my chocolate, I swear
I still look for that bright flash of gold

Event: Birth of Roald Dahl, author of James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Year: 1916
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roald_Dahl

Simply coming to work every day
Doesn’t have a whole lot of cachet
But you can make a name
Get in the Hall of Fame
When you come day in, day out to play

Event: Cal Ripken Jr. plays in his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking Lou Gehrig’s record, which had stood for 56 years
Year: 1995
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cal_Ripken_Jr

Though their time is soon coming to close
In the eighties these craft first arose
Now a long-deserved rest
Seems like it would be best
How will we get to space, d’you suppose?

Event: Discovery, the third Space Shuttle orbiter to go into space and the first to be retired, has its maiden launch
Year: 1984
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_shuttle
Recent Event: STS-135, the final Space Shuttle mission (Atlantis): July 8 (Launch), July 21 (Landing)

A true legend of the silver screen
Back when musicals still ruled the scene
He could daydream in France
And ‘cross Scottish moors dance
And still prance in the rain in between

Event: Birth of Gene Kelly, star of such famous Hollywood musicals as An American in Paris, Singin’ in the Rain, and Brigadoon
Year: 1912
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Kelly

Joseph Kittinger’s number to beat
Is one-hundred-and-two thousand feet
From that distance he fell
Landing quite safe and well
Though the plummet was certainly fleet

Event: Joseph Kittinger sets the record for highest, fastest, and longest skydive
Year: 1960
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Excelsior

Caesar’s troops were sure feeling the blues
For they lacked supplies, numbers, and shoes
Pompey went for the kill
But as he charged downhill
He learned that they had nothing to lose

Event: Battle of Pharsalus: Julius Caesar defeats Pompey the Great (Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus) at Pharsalus in the last battle between the two former triumvirs
Year: 48 BC
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Pharsalus

Using not prob and stats but one’s hand
Just as the Constitution had planned
Since the first sum (4 mil)
Every ten years we still
Try to count all the folks in the land

Event: The first U.S. Census is conducted
Year: 1790
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Census

Though the war to an end had been brought
There were still battles left to be fought
An E.O. was released:
“In the army, at least
A man’s color don’t matter one jot!”

Event: Harry Truman signs Executive Order 9981, ending segregation in the U.S. Armed Forces
Year: 1948
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_9981

Lucy Mott had it catch in her throat
She could not believe what Lizzie wrote
“This bit has got to go!”
Frederick Douglass said, “No
Women must demand their right to vote”

Event: Opening of the Seneca Falls Convention, an early convention in the fight for women’s rights (notable for its Declaration of Sentiments, which, among many other things, called for women’s suffrage)
Year: 1848
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seneca_Falls_Convention