Appears to be an even split on your particular question. I guess I would check out other songs to ensure I wasn't duplicating them.

The other thing I would say is, just because it describes a real event, doesn't mean it should be written as a straight narrative. It still needs a hook--ideally two kinds of hook, one being as Mike says, "some small, specific aspect of the event", another being a standard device like a strong chorus line, (God DAMN them all!) or a nifty turnaround.

One of my absolute favourite historical songs is Robbie Robertson's "Acadian Driftwood", which showed knowledge of the topic, passionate soul, and strong melody & chord progressions--nothing sacrificed.

And remember, you're not testifying in court. You don't have to tell everything that happened, put everything in chronological order, or even necessarily stick to the truth.

W-O