Salvador Dali's first exhibition

Salvador Dali's first one-man
exhibition was in 1929

Salvador Dali showcased his surrealist art
In Paris, which is where his legend would start
Gaining a following the year of 1928
With several paintings that led to his fate
His one-man exhibition that helped to define
Occurred on this day in 1929
The success launched Dali onto the global stage
At just 25 years of age
Soon after he joined the Surrealists
Led by Andre Breton, formerly of the Dadaists
The same year Dali met his business manager
Gala Eluard who would become his muse and lover

The legend of William Tell

Fact or fiction we don't know for sure
But the legend of William Tell continues ever more
Famous for firing an apple off his own son's head
He fought the Austrians with a Swiss army he led
Captured by Austrians trying to take over his land
They agreed to let him go if the apple was shot minus trembling hand

William Tell of Switzerland

His army consisted of mountaineers and noble men
Bitter at the takeover by the Austrian
Tell killed Governor Hermann Gessler, his nemesis
Who thought tyrannical rule was bliss
After this happened the Duke Albert I
Led an army to do their worst
So Tell and co hid in the trees and waited for their chance
Waiting for the devil so they could dance
The Duke soon appeared with his large troop
But the mountaineers were ready for their coup
From the advantage of their height
Tell and co caused the army to take flight
They threw down rocks and trunks upon them all
Injuring several and killing more in their fall
The Duke had no choice but to flee
And recognise the Forest of Cantons did not belong to thee
This launched the Republic of Switzerland
And William Tell was a hero, his legend far from bland

First President in the White House / First Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street

John Adams was the first president
in the White House, 1797-1801

Anyone know who was the first president
To live in the White House?
Incase you're unsure
Upon your uncertainty I shall douse
The first president to live there was the second
John Adams was his name
Preceded by George Washington
He followed in his predecessor's fame
Boldly defying governmental disputes
Mainly over Europe's conflicts perchance
His reign was marked by the Quasi-War
Which did involve France
What about the first prime minister
To live at 10 Downing Street?
Would you be able to recall the name

Sir Robert Walpole was the
first prime minister in Downing Street,
1721-1742

Of the man to achieve this feat?
I'll tell you then
Should you not know
It was indeed
Sir Robert Walpole
Third son from a family of 17
He's described as a large man
Despite his prickly attitude
He still gained many a fan
He did enjoy a bribe or two though
And was once tried for it
He spent six months in prison
But regained his position upon exit

King Jadwiga of Poland

Jadwiga of Poland was crowned king
On this day in 1384
But Jadwiga's reign was unique
Something never seen before
You see Jadwiga was no ordinary king
Because of certain detail

King Jadwiga of Poland

For Jadwiga was in fact
Not a man but female
Upon the death of King Casimir III
The throne went to his sibling
Elizabeth of Poland and her son Louis I
Of Hungary, who became king
Jadwiga was the daughter of Louis
And Elizabeth of Bosnia, his wife
Louis died when Jadwiga was ten
And everything changed in her life
She was made king at that age
Recognised as a sovereign in her own right
She reigned for 15 years
Until she died giving birth at 25
Intelligent, cultured, charitable and a polyglot
She was revered as a saint
Many legendary tales have been told
Making her ever more quaint
Now recognised by the church
By all means
Jadwiga is the patron saint
Of a United Europe and all queens

First song ever written

Discovered in the 1950s
This is oldest song known to man
Written in cuneiform
In the ancient language of Hurrian
Found on a clay tablet
In Ugarit, Syria
It was deciphered by
Prof. Anne Draffkorn Kilmer
Named Hurrian Hym No. 6
It's 3400 years old
Predating the next oldest song
By 1000 years we're told

Walt Disney and the FBI

Did you know that Walt Disney

Walt Disney worked with the FBI

Worked with the FBI?
It seems in J. Edgar Hoover
He had a firm ally
Animators went on strike
In 1941 July
Accusing them of 'Communistic agitation'
Disney did not comply
So to the bureau did he step forth
And begin to testify
Made into a Special Agent in Charge Contact
Against Hollywood he did spy
Those suspected of political subversions
Came under his watchful eye
This continued until 1966
The year that he would die

Egica enslaves Jews

On this date in 694

Egica forced Jews into slavery

Jews were condemned to slavery

By a Visigoth King named Egica

Convinced they were an adversary

Believing Jews and Muslims were in alliance 

He announced a veto

From them overthrowing Christian leaders

In the Seventeenth Council of Toledo

Forced into slavery 

Jews had to give up their land

While Jewish children were raised as Christians

All stemming from one ruler's demand