Famous Historical Figures Most People Have No Idea Lived At The Same Time
Vote on the most surprising overlapping timelines.
History is a murky concept at best, and it gets murkier the further back one goes. That’s why it’s often so surprising to learn about famous historical figures who lived at the same time, let alone historical moments that happened at the same time. Sometimes, it’s even more surprising to learn about historical figures who were born at the same time, which, rude as it may sound, often gives one a true sense of just how damn old some people are!
History is full of amazing paths that crossed. Thanks to all the famous world leaders who were alive at the same time, humanity has had some unlikely friendships throughout history, like the one between Elvis and Nixon, who invented the war on drugs. As they say, it’s a small world, after all, and it also happens to be a world filled with interesting people - many of whom walked the Earth at the exact same time.
- 1
Abraham Lincoln And Charles Darwin Were Born On The Same Day
Both men were born the exact same day, February 12, 1809.
Surprised? - 2
Buddha And Socrates Could Have Philosophized Together
The exact birth date of Buddha Shakyamuni is not totally clear, but he’s definitely “religion founding” old. One possible life span for Buddha is about 480 BCE to 400 BCE, which would mean that his life overlapped almost perfectly with another important philosopher: Socrates. The Greek thinker, who practically defined Western thought, was born around 470 BCE and died in 399 BCE after being sentenced to death by hemlock poisoning. A well-traveled individual could have possibly learned under both men.
Surprised? - 3
Martin Luther King, Anne Frank, And Barbara Walters Were Born The Same Year
The 20th century was a tumultuous time in which several of history’s most influential figures made their mark. It has ensured that certain birth years are absolutely “stacked” when it comes to notables. The year 1929 is one such year. Right away, on January 15, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was born, followed by author and Holocaust victim Anne Frank on June 12. Then, legendary TV journalist Barbara Walters was born on September 25 that same year.
Although several other important figures were born in 1929, these three in particular are interesting because they each appear to belong in different eras. Frank died during the Holocaust, King Jr. changed the world in the ‘60s, and Walters was active up until she retired in 2014.
Surprised? - 4
Pablo Picasso Outlived Jimi Hendrix
Pablo Picasso is one of the most influential artists to have ever lived. Some people will find it surprising that he did all of his work in the 20th century. Picasso was born on October 25, 1881, and lived a long life until April 8, 1973. His life actually overlaps with some interesting characters. In fact, the entire life of another influential artist, Jimi Hendrix, was encapsulated within Picasso’s. Hendrix was born on November 27, 1942, and died tragically young in 1970 at the age of 27.
Surprised? - 5
Leonardo Da Vinci Was A Year Younger Than Christopher Columbus
Leonardo da Vinci is the definitive figure of the Italian Renaissance and Christopher Columbus is known as the man who brought the world into the modern age with his “discovery” of the New World. One would think that da Vinci was born long before Columbus, but he was actually a year younger. Columbus was born sometime in 1451 in Genoa, Italy. Elsewhere in Italy, Da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, less than a year later.
Surprised? - 6
Abraham Lincoln Was 12 When Napoleon Died
Abraham Lincoln is probably most famous for putting an end to the Civil War and helping pave the way for enslaved people to be free in America. He was also a contemporary of another world leader famous for winning (and losing) a few wars - Napoleon Bonaparte. Honest Abe was born in a log cabin in Kentucky on February 12, 1809, and was six years old when the French Emperor was fighting the Battle of Waterloo. Lincoln was 12 years old when Napoleon, who was born in Corsica on August 15, 1769, died in exile on May 5, 1821.
Surprised?
