Did you know that some of history's most famous figures actually lived in the same period? It's fascinating to discover that individuals we often think belong to different eras were contemporaries. From philosophers to artists, leaders to scientists, these individuals' lives intersected in surprising ways, shaping the course of history in unexpected ways. Explore these remarkable encounters that will leave you amazed at the interconnectedness of historical figures.
Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in 1820 and would later escape its bonds to become the famous conductor of the Underground Railroad, aiding others in their escapes. Despite her dangerous struggles, Tubman lived a long life and passed away at the age of 93 on March 10, 1913. She lived long enough to intersect with the entirely different American icon, John Wayne. Born Marion Morrison, Wayne entered the world on May 26, 1907, and would live a substantial life until his death on June 11, 1979.
Orville Wright, part of the famous Wright Brothers who achieved the world's first successful flight in 1903, surprisingly witnessed humanity's landing on the moon 66 years later, intersecting with Neil Armstrong's life. While Wilbur Wright passed away at the age of 45 in 1912, Orville, born in 1871, lived a much longer life until his death on January 30, 1948. When the last of the Wright brothers passed away, Neil Armstrong, born on August 5, 1930, was 17 years old.
The exact birth date of Siddhartha Gautama, known as Buddha, is uncertain, but he is definitely one of the 'founders of religion.' Therefore, a possible lifespan for Buddha would fall between 480 BCE and 400 BCE, coinciding with another significant philosopher's life almost perfectly: Socrates. The Greek thinker, who defined Western thought, was born around 470 BCE and died in 399 BCE after being sentenced to death by hemlock poisoning. Given their extensive travels, it's possible they might have encountered each other and learned from one another.
The 20th century witnessed the emergence of many influential figures, and certain birth years became clustered with significance when it comes to notable individuals. One such year is 1929. Shortly after, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, followed by author and Holocaust victim Anne Frank on June 12. Later that year, legendary television journalist Barbara Walters was born on September 25.
Benjamin Franklin is a significant figure in America's founding and a renowned philosopher and inventor. Best known for discovering electricity, Franklin lived from January 17, 1706, to April 17, 1790, overlapping significantly with some classical scientists, including the gravity-defining mathematician Isaac Newton. Newton, born on December 25, 1642, died on March 20, 1727.
Both were born on February 12, 1809.
Pope Francis, despite his advanced age, remains a favorite among his followers for his welcoming outlook. Born on December 17, 1936, Pope Francis entered the world just over three months after Buddy Holly, the pioneer of rock and roll. Holly, the 7 September 1936-born lead singer of the Crickets, achieved fame for his musical talents but tragically died in a plane crash with several other musicians on February 3, 1959, before Pope Francis even entered priesthood.
Queen Elizabeth II and Marilyn Monroe, for entirely different reasons, are two of the most iconic women of the 20th century. Queen Elizabeth II, born on April 21, 1926, became the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Monroe's reign as a Hollywood queen, tragically short, ended when she passed away at the age of 36 on August 5, 1962.
Betty White, beloved for her enduring charm as the sole surviving Golden Girl until her passing on December 31, 2021, was born on January 17, 1922. While she was a young girl when World War II broke out, her life intersected with some extraordinary individuals. One of them was Thomas Edison, one of America's greatest inventors—or, depending on who you ask, a patent-stealing rogue. Edison, born on February 11, 1847, lived until October 18, 1931, overlapping with White when she was nine years old.
Pablo Picasso remains one of the most influential artists to date. Some may find it surprising that all of Picasso's work occurred within the 20th century. Born on October 25, 1881, Picasso lived a long life until April 8, 1973. Interestingly, his entire lifespan encapsulated that of another influential artist, Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix, born on November 27, 1942, tragically died at the young age of 27 in 1970.
Abraham Lincoln is best known for ending the Civil War and securing freedom for enslaved individuals in America. He was also a contemporary of another world leader, Napoleon Bonaparte. Honest Abe was born on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Kentucky and was six years old when French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was fighting in the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon, born on August 15, 1769, in Corsica, died in exile on May 5, 1821, when Lincoln was 12 years old.
Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, holds the distinction of being one of the oldest individuals to assume this office, which means he was by Joseph Stalin's side for six years of Stalin's reign of terror over the USSR. Born a holiday baby, Stalin entered the world on December 18, 1878, in Gori, Georgia, and after a long reign, passed away on March 5, 1953. Trump, on the other hand, was born on June 14, 1946, in New York City, shortly after Stalin's contributions to the Allies' victory in World War II.