1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

And now, with the number inversion of the ocean blue, I'll remember 1942...

As for the states, it's easier to learn the state song I wrote. Once learned, you get all the states, all the capitals, plus the order in which the states became part of the nation. Impossible to teach here, but of Troy says she wants to learn it at Wordapalooza...or maybe she said the president chant. Whatever, since I can't be a president or a state, at least I can teach 'em.

Music is great mnemonic glue. Who'd ever forget the ABC's?

Then I've heard of the song lines the Aboriginies (sp?) use for following terrain. That sounds mnemonically fascinating.

WW