There are some things that should not be done
Of these things, segregation is one
But way back in the day
The court said ’twas okay
In the case Plessy v. Ferguson

Event: U.S. Supreme Court rules that “separate but equal” facilities for whites and blacks are constitutional
Year: 1896
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plessy_v._Ferguson

For some folks it was cause for distress
Kasparov claimed his foes did transgress
But what could it mean
When a mere machine
Beat a master in a match of chess?

Event: Deep Blue defeats Garry Kasparov in a dramatic Game 6, becoming the first computer to beat a reigning world champion in a chess match
Year: 1997
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Blue_%28chess_computer%29

Portugal was of ill humor full
Screamed ’til faces turned blue—no, purple
“All this brand-new terrain—
Why should it go to Spain?
If you ask me, all this is just bull!”

Event: Pope Alexander VI issues the papal bull Inter caetera, granting rights to the majority of the New World to Spain
Year: 1493
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter_caetera
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Tordesillas

With Apartheid, blacks were kept remote
But it came to end, sure as boats float
They elected a fella
Named Nelson Mandela
The first time that they got to vote

Events: The Group Areas Act (formal institution of segregation) is passed; the first general election in which blacks could vote is held in South Africa
Years: 1950; 1994
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartheid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_general_election,_1994

What are the oldest ballparks today?
We’ve two winners, both far and away
Will these grounds of the past
A full century last?
Field of Wrigley and Park of Fenway

Events: Fenway Park opens; Chicago Cubs play their first game at Wrigley Field (then Weeghman Park)
Years: 1912; 1916
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenway_Park
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrigley_Field
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_stadiums

Fierce division the nation did haunt
So King Henry sought to bring detente
It had limited scope
And it pissed off the pope
But he issued the Edict of Nantes

Event: Henry IV issues the Edict of Nantes
Year: 1598
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edict_of_Nantes

Coubertin had some quite lofty aims
To revive old Prometheus’ flames
Fortune favored the bold
(Who won silver, not gold)
At the first modern Olympic Games

Event: Opening of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece
Year: 1896
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1896_Summer_Olympics

There are some who write at breakneck pace
As if they were with words giving chase
Sure, the work gets done fast
But not long does it last
They screw up and then have to erase

Event: Hymen Lipman receives the first patent for a pencil with an eraser attached
Year: 1858
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pencil

A true patriot cannot draw breath
‘Neath a tyrant like George (or Macbeth)
Though others hesitated
Pat could not be sedated
“Give me Liberty or give me Death!”

Event: Patrick Henry delivers the famous line “Give me Liberty, or give me Death!”
Year: 1775
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Henry#American_Revolution

Trav’ling with Dad, while still young and cute
He earned the nickname of “Little Boot”
To loud shouts of acclaim
He emperor became
But his reign took a sharp downward route

Event: Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus (better known as Caligula) becomes emperor following the death of Tiberius
Year: 37 AD
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula