Photo: © 2008 Jupiterimages Corporation
Beginning of Time
Eve runs smack into Garden of Eden's resident snake. Original sin is born; fig leaf futures skyrocket.
Photo: © 2008 Jupiterimages Corporation
1492
In search of the West Indies, Christopher Columbus bumps into North America. More than five centuries later, men still refuse to pull over and ask for directions.
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1525
Anne Boleyn catches eye of Henry VIII. Roman Catholic Church loses its grip on England; Anne Boleyn loses, well, you know.
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1666
What goes up must come down. In this case, it's an apple falling at the feet of Sir Isaac Newton. Hello, gravity.
Photo: © 2008 Jupiterimages Corporation
1795
Jane Austen is introduced to Tom Lefroy, a neighbor's nephew. Legend has it that the relationship leads to a lovelorn Jane and the role of a lifetime for Keira Knightley.
Photo: Mathew Brady Studio/National Portrait Gallery
1826
Sojourner Truth escapes from her slave owner, prays for direction, and in the happiest of chance encounters, knocks at the door of Quaker Abolitionists.
1856
Lewis Carroll meets Alice, the 4-year-old daughter of an Oxford dean. Next stop: Wonderland.
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1912
The Titanic has a chance encounter with an iceberg.
Photo: Van Vechten Collection/Library of Congress
1918
Zelda Sayre introduced to F. Scott Fitzgerald at a country club dance. A gin-soaked Lost Generation gets its poster couple.
Photo: © 2008 Jupiterimages Corporation
1928
H.B. Reese gets peanut butter in his chocolate...or was it chocolate in his peanut butter? You know the rest.
1940
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz meet on the set of Too Many Girls and click faster than you can say "Vitameatavegamin."
Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage.com
1951
Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train opens—the ultimate chance encounter movie. Don't you just hate it when first dates end in murder?
Photo: US Library of Congress
1956
Sixteen-year-old John Lennon meets a 14-year-old Paul McCartney at a church fete. The long and winding road starts here.
1959
Courtesy of the U.S. Army, Elvis Presley is stationed in Germany, as is Paul Beaulieu, who brings along 14-year-old stepdaughter Priscilla. Graceland, here we come!
Photo: Chris Weeks/WireImage.com
1960
Record executive Berry Gordy meets 10-year-old Steveland Morris. Motown and the kid, later named Stevie Wonder, become a match made in Detroit heaven.
Photo: KMazur/WireImage.com
1960
Former schoolmates Mick Jagger and Keith Richards bump into each other on a train. Nearly half a century later, they still can't get no satisfaction.
Photo: Paul Natkin/WireImage.com
1969
Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson meet at a music competition and form ABBA, paving the way for Pierce Brosnan's last singing performance. We hope.
Photo: © 2008 Jupiterimages Corporation
1971
Steven Jobs and Stephen Wozniak are introduced in Palo Alto and come up with a little business called Apple. We'll let you know if it ever amounts to anything.
Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage.com
1971
Hillary Rodham begins dating fellow Yale Law schooler Bill Clinton. The rest is literally history.
Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage.com
1981
Joan Collins has a chance encounter with a shoulder pad. Dynasty and the '80s will never be the same.
Photo: Tom Wargacki/WireImage.com
1988
Modeling agent discovers teen Kate Moss as she strolls through JFK Airport. Stick-thin figures back in.
Photo: Tom Wargacki/WireImage.com
1995
Serendipity brings together Hugh Grant, Divine Brown, and the LAPD.
Photo: SGranitz/WireImage.com
1998
Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson are introduced at the Hollywood Christmas Parade. Marriage, divorce, and history's weepiest male album, What's Left of Me, ensue.
Photo: © 2008 Jupiterimages Corporation
2002
Women happen upon a crazy little thing called Botox. We'd show excitement over this...if only our faces were still capable of expression.
Photo: KMazur/WireImage.com
2004
One hundred million Super Bowl XXXVIII viewers have a quickie with Janet Jackson's right breast thanks to a "wardrobe malfunction" and an apologetic Justin Timberlake.
Photo: David Bohrer/White House/WireImage.com
2006
A quail emerges unscathed from a chance encounter with Dick Cheney. Unfortunately, hunting partner Harry Whittington fares less well.
Photo: J. Countess/WireImage.com
2006
The Earth comes face-to-face with its vanishing ozone layer, resulting in a Nobel Prize for Al Gore. Florida demands a recount.
Photo: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office
2007
Stripes are a fashion must-have for celebutantes as Paris Hilton's run-in with a California highway patrolman lands her in jail.
Photo: Paul Morigi/WireImage.com
2009
America encounters eloquence, vision, and the audacity of hope. Welcome aboard, Mr. President.