10 Momentous Hellos Throughout History

By Arianna Davis and Zoe Donaldson

Photo: Getty Images

1525

King Henry VIII bids his wife's lady-in-waiting, Anne Boleyn, a saucy good morrow. Union results in Church of England, Elizabeth I.

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1851

Susan B. Anthony encounters Elizabeth Cady Stanton on upstate New York street; "pleased to meet you" turns into 50-year feminist crusade.

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1918

Tender is the night F. Scott Fitzgerald says hello to Zelda Sayre, his future mad muse, at an Alabama dance.

Photo: Bettmann/Corbis

1954

Ella Fitzgerald meets Marilyn Monroe at L.A. jazz show. The next year, Marilyn sits front row when Ella sings at the Mocambo nightclub.

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1957

John Lennon plays church gig; between sets Paul McCartney teaches him to tune his guitar. Pair forms foursome you may have heard of.

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1963

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield bond over athletic ineptitude in junior high gym, go on to create treats universally preferred to exercise.

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1971

Tech-geek undergrad Steve Wozniak hears about teen named Steve Jobs. Steve meets Steve; now we have iPhones.

Photo: Courtesy of Gayle King

1976

Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King work at Baltimore's WJZ-TV. Snowstorm hits; sleepover is suggested; ultimate BFF-ship forms.

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1991

RNC chief of staff Mary Matalin eyes Dem consultant James Carville. Ensuing wooing proves love conquers all...party affiliations, that is.

Photo: Getty Images

2009

Greetings from more than 25,000 people are beamed to planet Gliese 581d as part of Hello from Earth initiative. Saying hi no longer just for earthlings!

Next: 14 conversation starters to help break the ice

From the March 2014 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine