April 20th, 2010 by Wordsman
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
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April 13th, 2010 by Wordsman
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
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April 6th, 2010 by Wordsman
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
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March 30th, 2010 by Wordsman
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
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March 23rd, 2010 by Wordsman
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
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March 16th, 2010 by Wordsman
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
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March 9th, 2010 by Wordsman
The Rebs wanted to end the blockade
That was mucking up all of their trade
They sent the Merrimack
But the Union fought back
For they too had a ship iron-made
Event: USS Monitor faces CSS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimack) in the Battle of Hampton Roads
Year: 1862
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hampton_Roads
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March 2nd, 2010 by Wordsman
Oh the Grinch, he went on a mad spree
Reduced Christmas to piles of debris
But in Whoville, they say
That on that fateful day
His heart grew not just one size, but three
Event: Birth of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss
Year: 1904
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Seuss
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February 23rd, 2010 by Wordsman
Émile Zola stood up for the Jews
And the government he did accuse
But they did not approve
Said to prison he’d move
So to England he took a short cruise
Event: Émile Zola convicted of libel after publishing “J’accuse” in defense of Alfred Dreyfus
Year: 1898
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreyfus_affair
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February 16th, 2010 by Wordsman
What goes on beyond the mortal plane?
Do we any existence maintain?
Young King Tut, though well-dressed
I am sure never guessed
Of the fame that his mummy would gain
Event: Howard Carter unseals the inner chamber of Tutankhamun’s tomb
Year: 1923
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KV62
Posted in This Day in History | 2 Comments »