Name__________________
“We Didn’t Start the Fire”
Billy Joel has often said that he wanted to be a history teacher at one time and that his
song "We Didn't Start the Fire" is tribute to this. He spans about forty years of U.S.
history in the song, “We Didn’t Start the Fire”. This song addresses and synthesizes
events from the time period 1949 until 1989.
Since the song ends with the events from 1989, one of your tasks is to update the song
by addressing the decades starting with 1990 and 2000. Use the same format from the
original song. Be sure to mention events that fit the tempo of the song.
Be prepared to perform your song with your group – live or make a video!
Writing Assignment
1. While your song will be performed in class, you and your partner will also be
responsible for typing the lyrics, which will be graded. Please print out enough
copies for each member of your group (if needed) and one copy for Mrs. Smolyn.
You will also need to provide the rubric on the day of your presentation.
2. Choose an event from each category in Billy Joel’s original song and define it.
Choose events that you highlighted. This should be typed in full sentences in
MLA format. Be sure to add your source in MLA format.
3. Choose 10 events from each decade in the song you wrote and define them. Use
complete sentences and type this in MLA format. Also add your source in MLA
format.
Finding Events and Information


You may use your textbook, or an online timeline from the list below to find
events.
o All years are listed from 1990-2014:
http://www.infoplease.com/yearbyyear.html
Then, use your textbook and/or http://www.hyperhistory.com/ to research the
events.
Name_________________________
Grading Checklist/Rubric
Song
Song contains mention of events that
include at least one of each of the
designated topics (sports, music, the arts,
science, politics, international affairs,
national affairs, and influential people).
(X4)
Song contains 5 verses
(x5)
Write up

All events are within the time
frame (1990-2014)

Events are defined accurately and
written in complete sentences

source is included in MLA format
(x 5)
Writing Conventions
There are no errors in spelling or
grammar.
(x 2)
Performance
The song is performed enthusiastically
with effort. (x 3)
The assignment is typed and one copy is
provided to Mrs. Smolyn during the
performance.
(x 1)
Total
_______/20pts
Planning page 1990-2000
Topic
Sports
Music
The Arts
(literature,
dance, art)
Science
Politics
International
Affairs
National Affairs
Influential
People
Other
Other
Event/Person
Description
Planning Page 2001-2014
Topic
Sports
Music
The Arts
(literature,
dance, art)
Science
Politics
International
Affairs
National
Affairs
Influential
People
Other
Other
Event/Person
Description
1949 – 1989
Topic
Sports
Music
The Arts
(literature,
dance, art)
Science
Politics
International
Affairs
National
Affairs
Influential
People
Other
Event/Person
Description