Same Year, Different Figure

History has a funny way of connecting people. Sometimes, the most influential figures were shockingly born in the same year. It’s a strange coincidence that makes you rethink what you know about time and fate. If that intrigues you, here are 20 surprising historical figures who shared a birth year.

Series: Photographs Relating to the Clinton Administration, 1/20/1993 - 1/20/2001 Collection: Photographs of the White House Photograph Office (Clinton Administration), 1/20/1993 - 1/20/2001 on Wikimedia

1. Anne Frank & Martin Luther King Jr. (1929)

The year 1929 welcomed two of the most powerful voices for justice the world would ever know: Anne Frank and Martin Luther King Jr. Born just months apart—Anne in June in Frankfurt, Germany, and Martin in January in Atlanta, Georgia—both came to symbolize a deep resistance to hatred. 

Rowland Scherman / Adam Cuerden on Wikimedia

2. Abraham Lincoln & Charles Darwin (1809)

Abraham Lincoln, born in a Kentucky log cabin, grew to steer the United States through its toughest conflict. Thousands of miles away in Shrewsbury, England, Charles Darwin was born into a world still governed by biblical understandings of creation.

John Collier on Wikimedia

3. Albert Einstein & Leon Trotsky (1879)

In 1879, the world saw the birth of Albert Einstein, whose theories redefined physics, and Leon Trotsky, an important figure in the Russian Revolution. Their lives, though divergent, both profoundly impacted the 20th century's intellectual and political scenarios.

Photograph by Oren Jack Turner, Princeton, N.J. Original image cleaned/leveled by User:Jaakobou. on Wikimedia

4. Queen Elizabeth II & Marilyn Monroe (1926)

Imagine the same year giving us Buckingham Palace’s future queen and Hollywood’s ultimate queen. 1926 did just that. Queen Elizabeth II’s composed leadership and Marilyn Monroe’s magnetic stardom offered two faces of global fascination.

Donald McKague on Wikimedia

5. John Lennon & Patrick Stewart (1940)

Born in 1940, John Lennon and Patrick Stewart both became cultural icons in their own right, though in completely different realms. Despite their differing careers, both were known for their intellect and the power of their voices—one through his songs and the other through his commanding presence. 

Anders Krusberg / Peabody Awards on Wikimedia

6. Freddie Mercury & Dolly Parton (1946)

Mercury, the flamboyant frontman of Queen, changed the face of rock music with his unforgettable performances. Meanwhile, Parton, with her sweet southern charm and undeniable talent, became a country music legend. 

Curtis Hilbun on Wikimedia

7. Salvador Dali & Cary Grant (1904)

1904 saw the births of Salvador Dali, the surrealist artist known for melting clocks, and Cary Grant, the suave actor of classic cinema. While Dali warped time and perception, Grant effortlessly manipulated the charm of classic Hollywood. 

Allan warren on Wikimedia

8. Betty White & Judy Garland (1922)

1922 introduced Betty White, who would become a television pioneer, and Judy Garland, whose voice enchanted audiences in The Wizard of Oz. Their talents spanned decades, leaving lasting impressions in entertainment.

Alan Light on Wikimedia

9. Ruby Bridges & Denzel Washington (1954)

Startling as it seems, Ruby Bridges and Denzel Washington were both born in 1954. At just six, Bridges became a national figure for desegregating an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. Meanwhile, Washington brought stories like hers to the screen.

RON RAFFETY on Wikimedia

10. Adolf Hitler & Charlie Chaplin (1889)

Two figures, one marked by tyranny, the other by laughter, reshaped the 20th century. While Adolf Hitler’s reign sparked immense suffering and hatred, Charlie Chaplin used his humor to unite and uplift. In an ironic twist, Chaplin’s The Great Dictator boldly mocked Hitler.

Unknown authorUnknown author on Wikimedia

11. Nelson Mandela & Richard Feynman (1918)

One fought for freedom, the other for scientific truth. Nelson Mandela’s courage dismantled apartheid and inspired millions, and Richard Feynman’s playful genius revolutionized physics. Despite their different arenas, their legacies share a commitment to challenging the status quo.

South Africa The Good News on Wikimedia

12. James Cromwell & John Lennon (1940)

James Cromwell, with his commanding roles and depth, became a favorite in film, bringing gravitas to every performance. Across the world, John Lennon’s voice and revolutionary spirit ignited social change, proving that art can indeed transform society.

Los Angeles Times on Wikimedia

13. Mark Zuckerberg & Avril Lavigne (1984)

You know the hit songs, like Complicated and Sk8er Boi, and the social media platform that connects billions. In 1984, Avril Lavigne and Mark Zuckerberg were born, both destined to change the world in their own way. One brought a voice to rebellious youth, and the other, a digital revolution.

Rosa Casapullo on Wikimedia

14. Dwight D. Eisenhower & Ho Chi Minh (1890)

In 1890, a military strategist and a revolutionary thinker took their first breaths on opposite sides of the globe. Dwight became Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during WWII and later U.S. President. Similarly, Ho Chi Minh, inspired by socialist movements, led Vietnam to independence.

Unknown author on Wikimedia

15. Walt Disney & Werner Heisenberg (1901)

Imagine a year where storytelling and uncertainty are born hand-in-hand. In 1901, Walt Disney launched an entertainment empire from a mouse. Meanwhile, Werner Heisenberg laid the groundwork for quantum mechanics. Together, they showed that fantasy and physics are both exercises in limitless wonder.

AnonymousUnknown author on Wikimedia

16. Neil Armstrong & Steve McQueen (1930)

Neil Armstrong (born 1930) made history on July 20, 1969, stepping onto the Moon and etching "That's one small step for man..." into eternity. Steve McQueen, born the same year, earned his legacy through antihero coolness in films like The Great Escape.

Unknown authorUnknown author on Wikimedia

17. Jimmy Carter & Marlon Brando (1924)

1924 bore witness to the arrival of two men who challenged the institutions they belonged to. Carter softened politics with moral clarity; Brando brought emotional realism to acting. Both left their industries transformed, proving quiet revolutionaries can wield powerful influence.

Lauren Gerson on Wikimedia

18. George W. Bush & Bill Clinton (1946)

Though differing in party and policy, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton share more than presidential status. Born in 1946, both emerged as baby boomers grappling with 21st-century issues. Their decisions reshaped American domestic and foreign policy. 

Paul Morse on Wikimedia

19. Karl Marx & Frederick Douglass (1818)

In 1818, a revolution brewed in pen and in uniform. Karl Marx, author of The Communist Manifesto, critiqued capitalism and fueled future uprisings. In contrast, Frederick Douglass fought tirelessly for freedom and equality, his powerful words challenging the injustices of slavery. 

photo by John Jabez Edwin Mayall, colored by Olga Shirnina on Wikimedia

20. Jane Austen & J. M. W. Turner (1775)

1775 brought forth two visionaries who transformed culture in their own unique ways. Jane Austen crafted timeless stories of wit and social commentary. At the same time, J. M. W. Turner painted sweeping landscapes that captured the raw power of nature.

Based on one drawn by her sister Cassandra on Wikimedia