11 Prophecies That Shockingly Came True

These eerie predictions seemed far-fetched — until they actually happened.

  • Chris Graciano
  • 3 min read
11 Prophecies That Shockingly Came True
Mick Haupt on Unsplash

From ancient seers to modern thinkers, prophecies have long fascinated and unsettled people. While most fade into obscurity, a few predictions have proven disturbingly accurate. Whether they came from dreams, visions, or educated guesses, these 11 prophecies still leave people wondering: was it luck, logic, or something more?

1. Nostradamus Predicts the Great Fire of London (1666)

César de Notre-Dame on Wikimedia Commons César de Notre-Dame on Wikimedia Commons

In his cryptic quatrains, Nostradamus spoke of “the blood of the just” being shed and “London” burning. In 1666, a fire engulfed the city for days, destroying thousands of homes.

2. Edgar Cayce Foresees Stock Market Crash (1929)

Civilengtiger on Wikimedia Commons Civilengtiger on Wikimedia Commons

Known as the “Sleeping Prophet,” Cayce reportedly warned of financial disaster in the late 1920s. Just months later, the market plummeted, kicking off the Great Depression.

3. The Sinking of the Titanic in Fiction (1898)

Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons

Fourteen years before the Titanic disaster, author Morgan Robertson wrote Futility, a novel about an “unsinkable” ship called the Titan that hit an iceberg. The similarities are unsettling, right down to the lack of lifeboats.

4. Baba Vanga Predicts 9/11

Jeff and Neda Fields on Flickr Jeff and Neda Fields on Flickr

The blind mystic from Bulgaria allegedly warned of “steel birds” attacking America. After 9/11, many turned to her old predictions, stunned by the parallels.

5. Jules Verne Envisions Moon Landing

Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons

In From the Earth to the Moon (1865), Verne described a space journey with shocking precision. He predicted a Florida launch site, three-man crew, and ocean splashdown. Over a century later, Apollo 11 followed a near-identical path.

6. Mark Twain Foretells His Own Death

Pach Bros on Wikimedia Commons Pach Bros on Wikimedia Commons

Twain was born shortly after Halley’s Comet passed Earth in 1835 and predicted he’d die when it returned. “I came in with it, and I expect to go out with it,” he said. In 1910, the comet returned, and Twain died the next day.

7. The Simpsons Predict Donald Trump’s Presidency

Shealeah Craighead on Wikimedia Commons Shealeah Craighead on Wikimedia Commons

In a 2000 episode, The Simpsons joked about “President Trump” bankrupting the country. Fast-forward to 2016, and the joke became reality. The episode even showed scenes eerily similar to real events. Satire? Maybe. Psychic? Possibly.

8. Da Vinci’s Visions of Flying Machines

Nico Barbatelli on Wikimedia Commons Nico Barbatelli on Wikimedia Commons

Long before airplanes, Da Vinci sketched designs for wings, parachutes, and helicopters. Though they never flew in his lifetime, modern engineers were stunned by their accuracy.

9. William Gibson Predicts the Internet (1984)

Frédéric Poirot on Flickr Frédéric Poirot on Flickr

In his novel Neuromancer, Gibson described a vast digital world called “cyberspace” used for data, hacking, and global connection. At the time, the internet barely existed. Today, it reads like a blueprint.

10. Mother Shipton’s World Changes

Mx. Granger on Wikimedia Commons Mx. Granger on Wikimedia Commons

This 16th-century English prophetess reportedly foresaw iron ships, flying machines, and world wars. Her verses speak of “carriages without horses” and cities in the sky.

11. Robert Boyle’s Scientific Forecasts

Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons

In the 1600s, Boyle created a “wish list” of future scientific breakthroughs. He predicted organ transplants, blood transfusions, and advanced medicines. Today, many of his predictions have become a reality.

Written by: Chris Graciano

Chris has always had a vivid imagination, turning childhood daydreams into short stories and later, scripts for films. His passion for storytelling eventually led him to content writing, where he’s spent over four years blending creativity with a practical approach. Outside of work, Chris enjoys rewatching favorites like How I Met Your Mother and The Office, and you’ll often find him in the kitchen cooking or perfecting his coffee brew.

Recommended for You