The 10 upcoming doomsdays you should keep an eye on are more than just sensational headlines; they are steeped in centuries‑old prophecy, scientific speculation, and cultural lore. Whether you’re a skeptic, a believer, or simply curious about when the calendar might finally run out, this rundown gives you the dates, the backstories, and the dramatic flair you need to plan (or at least to impress at parties).

10 Upcoming Doomsdays You Can’t Ignore

10. The Great Tribulation 2017

Biblical scholars who focus on the end‑times argue that the Great Tribulation will be humanity’s darkest era, a seven‑year stretch of unimaginable suffering that directly precedes the final judgment. Their calculations zero in on the autumn of 2017 as the kickoff point, based on a complex web of scriptural cross‑references and historical milestones tied to Jerusalem.

The timeline hinges on a series of “Jubilee” cycles—each lasting fifty years and symbolizing divine forgiveness and renewal. In 1217, Rabbi Judah Ben Samuel foretold that the Turks would dominate Jerusalem for eight Jubileys. The first Jubilee began that very year, the second in 1517 (the Turkish invasion), and the eighth in 1917 when the Turks were expelled during Hanukkah. The ninth Jubilee saw the city become a British‑mandated “no‑man’s‑land,” and the tenth culminated in 2017, marking fifty years since Israel reclaimed full sovereignty over Jerusalem.

According to the rabbi’s chronology, 2017 closes the tenth Jubilee, ushering in the final phase where the Jewish people would rule over the Holy Land and the ultimate “end of days” would arrive. This date also aligns with two Jubilees after the Balfour Declaration and sits 70 years—a biblical generation—after the UN’s 1947 Partition Plan. In short, for those who read the signs, 2017 was the calendar’s most ominous checkpoint.

9. The Ninth Prediction 2018

The Hopi, a Native American nation rooted in Arizona’s high desert, have a prophetic tradition that stretches back centuries. In 1958, Hopi elder White Feather shared a series of visions with minister David Young, some of which have already unfolded, while the final trio remain unfulfilled.

The first six predictions—white‑skinned men, “spinning wheels filled with voices,” a buffalo‑like beast, iron snakes, a giant spiderweb, and rivers of stone—have corresponded to European colonization, modern cattle farming, railways, telecommunications, and highways. The remaining three are more cryptic: a blackened sea, long‑haired youths seeking Indigenous wisdom, and a “blue star” that will crash from the heavens, heralding the end of Hopi ceremonies.

Interpretations diverge. Some see the “blue star” as a comet destined to strike Earth, while others argue it could be the re‑entry of China’s Tiangong‑1 space lab, a defunct orbital laboratory that lost contact in 2016 and is slated to plunge back to Earth in October 2018. If the latter proves true, humanity will have a few more months before the final celestial omen allegedly foretold by White Feather.

8. The Second Coming 2020

Psychic legend Jeane Dixon, famed for advising Presidents Nixon and Reagan, penned a prophetic tome in 1973 titled The Call to Glory. Within its pages she claimed that 2020 would mark the opening act of the world’s end, announced by a global voice proclaiming, “It is done.” This utterance, she said, would signal Christ’s Second Coming and a celestial battle with Satan that would continue until 2037.

As with many clairvoyants, Dixon’s track record is spotty. The phenomenon of dismissing a prophet’s failed forecasts has even been dubbed the “Jeane Dixon Effect.” Dixon herself argued that the visions were always accurate, merely misinterpreted, turning every missed prediction into a lesson in perspective rather than a flaw in foresight.

Regardless of the controversy, Dixon’s influence endures, reminding us that even the most confident seers can miss the mark—yet their narratives continue to shape apocalyptic imagination.

7. The Second Coming (Again) 2021

If you prefer a biblical calculator over a crystal ball, F. Kenton Beshore—a former president of the World Bible Society—offers a different timeline. He asserts that Armageddon must unfold by 2021 at the latest, basing his claim on the parable of the fig tree: a farmer, frustrated by a barren tree, is persuaded by a farmhand to wait another year before cutting it down.

While most interpret the fig tree as a metaphor for God granting humanity a final chance, Beshore reads it as a direct reference to Israel. He argues that the “one‑generation‑after‑founding” rule points to a decisive event in 2021, with the actual climactic battle slated for 2028—when Jesus, according to Beshore, returns to confront Satan.

In Beshore’s view, the chaotic period begins in 2021, giving believers a short window to prepare for the ultimate showdown that will decide the fate of the world.

6. World‑Killing Asteroid 2026

The Messiah Foundation International, a syncretic spiritual movement blending Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism, warns that scientists have identified a massive asteroid on a collision course with Earth in 2026. While mainstream astronomers claim we’ll have the technology to deflect or destroy the rock, the foundation insists the impact is inevitable and will signal the final apocalypse.

According to the group, the impact will summon a pantheon of saviors: Jesus, the Messiah (as defined by the foundation), the Islamic Mahdi, and the Hindu Kalki Avatar. Their leader, Ra Riaz Gohar Shahi, claims he himself will appear among these figures—despite still being alive—to guide humanity through the cataclysm.

In short, the foundation paints 2026 as the year humanity faces a literal cosmic hammer, with divine intervention as the only hope for those deemed worthy.

5. Newton’s Prediction 2060

When you think of Sir Isaac Newton, you picture apples, gravity, and the Principia. Few recall that the 17th‑century genius was also a devout Christian who believed the Bible concealed a timetable for the world’s demise.

Newton’s calculations, rooted in Revelation’s “time, times, and half a time,” translated a prophetic 1,260‑day period into years. Working backward, he identified the year 800 as the start of papal corruption, a span that would culminate in 2060. In his view, the era of ecclesiastical decay would run its full course, triggering the final judgment.

Newton warned that while the world could end later than 2060, there was “no reason” to expect a sooner conclusion—ironically a modest hope amid his otherwise apocalyptic forecast.

4. Islamic Second Coming 2129

Abrahamic traditions share a common lineage, but each adds its own dramatic flair. Islamic eschatology, drawn from a series of hadiths, envisions a multi‑stage apocalypse that will climax around 2129, according to scholar Said Nursi.

The narrative begins with widespread oppression of Muslims, prompting the Mahdi—the awaited redeemer—to unite the faithful. This sets the stage for the return of a prophetic figure, many interpret as Jesus, who will “break the cross and kill the swine,” symbolizing a sweeping reform of Christian doctrine and a revival of original Judeo‑Islamic law.

Nursi’s timeline culminates in cataclysmic events: earthquakes, fire, and a one‑eyed beast battling the Messiah as Gog and Magog descend upon the Earth. All of these signs, he argues, will converge in the year 2129, sealing humanity’s fate.

3. Messiah Clock 2239

Jewish tradition holds that the Messiah will arrive before the ultimate Sabbath—a day of eternal peace. In the 18th century, Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna devised a “Messiah Clock,” a symbolic countdown that maps biblical days onto millennia.

According to his calculation, each 1,000 years equals a single day to God. Six days of creation translate to six thousand years of human history, meaning the seventh day—the Sabbath—will commence at sunset on September 30, 2239. The clock therefore predicts that the Messiah must appear before that celestial sunset, giving humanity a definitive deadline.

However, the promise of everlasting harmony is conditional: only those who actively work toward the Messiah’s arrival will be admitted to the eternal celebration. Passive believers risk being left out of the final divine party.

2. Quran Code 2280

Egyptian biochemist Rashad Khalifa claimed, in the 1970s, that the Qur’an hides a mathematical key—the number 19—that unlocks its eschatological secrets. By cataloguing letter frequencies, verse counts, and numeric patterns, he argued that 19 is the divine cipher governing the holy text.

Evidence he cited includes the first verse of the Qur’an containing exactly 19 letters, the same count appearing in the opening verse of the final revelation, and a series of 19‑year intervals between significant textual edits. He also noted that the total verses (6,346) equal 334 × 19, reinforcing the pattern.

From these calculations, Khalifa projected the world’s end to 2280, describing a cataclysmic horn that will crush Earth and heavens, followed by the creation of a second Earth and Heaven for believers. Ironically, Khalifa’s own death—murdered in 1990—was later linked to the number 19, as his killer was extradited and convicted on December 19, 2012.

1. Sermon Of The Seven Suns Circa 84517

Buddhism, renowned for its teachings on compassion and rebirth, also contains a dramatic vision of the world’s ultimate demise—the Sermon of the Seven Suns. According to tradition, the original Buddha foretold that his teachings would be forgotten 5,000 years after his death, around AD 4517, when humanity would descend into selfishness.

After a period of moral decay, a future Buddha named Maitreya will re‑establish the Dharma, but not before a cascade of seven suns appears. The first sun dries up all plant life; the second extinguishes animal life; the third, fourth, and fifth evaporate rivers, lakes, and oceans respectively. The sixth sun triggers violent volcanic eruptions, and the seventh ignites the Earth itself, reducing it to ash.

Believers maintain that enlightenment and Nirvana can spare individuals from this fiery finale, provided they achieve true awakening before the seventh sun’s blaze—an arduous but theoretically possible path for the devoted.

Science thrives on bold hypotheses, rigorous testing, and continual refinement, yet history is peppered with spectacularly off‑the‑mark predictions from some of the brightest minds. These 10 scientific estimates missed the target by a mile—some because of missing data, others because technology leapt ahead faster than anyone imagined. Let’s dive into each miscalculation, see why it went astray, and learn what we can take away from these cautionary tales.

10 Scientific Estimates Overview

10 Lord Kelvin’s Terrible Estimate for the Age of the Earth

In the twilight years of the 19th century, Sir William Thomson—better known as Lord Kelvin—stood at the pinnacle of physics, celebrated for his breakthroughs in thermodynamics and engineering. When the age of our planet became a hot topic, Kelvin confidently asserted that Earth was merely 20 to 40 million years old, basing his claim on calculations of how long a molten sphere would need to cool to its present temperature.

Employing sophisticated heat‑conduction equations, Kelvin imagined a fiery Earth gradually radiating heat into the void. While many geologists suspected a far older planet, Kelvin’s stature gave his estimate considerable sway. The fatal flaw? He lacked knowledge of a crucial heat source: radioactive decay.

Only a few years later, in 1896, Henri Becquerel’s discovery of radioactivity opened the door to understanding that radioactive elements deep within Earth continuously generate heat, dramatically slowing the cooling process Kelvin had modeled.

By 1907, radiometric dating of ancient rocks revealed Earth’s true age at roughly 4.5 billion years—over a hundred times older than Kelvin’s most generous projection.

9 IBM Thought the World Would Only Need Five Computers

Back in 1943, Thomas J. Watson, then chairman of IBM, allegedly warned that the world would never require more than five computers. At that moment, computers were hulking leviathans—room‑sized, vacuum‑tube‑filled behemoths reserved for military calculations and scientific research, far beyond the reach of businesses or households.

Watson’s forecast missed the meteoric miniaturization that would follow. The invention of the transistor in 1947 set the stage for a rapid shrink‑down in size and cost, paving the way for the personal computer revolution of the 1970s, where companies like Apple and Microsoft introduced desk‑sized machines.

Fast forward to the late 1990s: computers had become household staples, and today over two billion personal computers are in use worldwide, not to mention the billions of smartphones, tablets, and embedded processors that power everyday objects. Whether or not Watson truly uttered the infamous line, his gross underestimation of computing demand remains one of tech history’s most spectacular blunders.

8 The Miscalculation That Almost Made Einstein Abandon Relativity

When Albert Einstein unveiled his general theory of relativity in 1915, it reshaped our grasp of gravity and spacetime. Yet, as he wrestled with his equations, Einstein noticed they implied a universe that was either expanding or contracting—not the static cosmos that most scientists of the era believed to be eternal.

To force his equations into a steady‑state mold, Einstein introduced a mathematical “fix”—the cosmological constant (Λ)—which acted as a repulsive force counterbalancing gravity, thereby keeping the universe static.

In 1929, Edwin Hubble’s observations of receding galaxies shattered the static‑universe dogma, confirming that the cosmos was indeed expanding. Einstein reportedly labeled the cosmological constant his “biggest blunder” and excised it from his equations. Ironically, decades later, physicists resurrected Λ to explain dark energy, the mysterious driver of the universe’s accelerating expansion.

Thus, Einstein’s original miscalculation, intended to preserve a static universe, turned out to be more accurate than he realized—only the scientific climate of his time forced him to second‑guess his groundbreaking work.

7 The Ozone Layer Was Supposed to Take Centuries to Heal

During the 1980s, scientists uncovered a massive hole in the Antarctic ozone layer, traced to human‑produced chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Early models warned that, if CFC emissions continued unabated, the hole would deepen dramatically, leading to heightened skin‑cancer rates and ecological upheaval.

Even after the 1987 Montreal Protocol mandated a global phase‑out of CFCs, many researchers projected that full recovery would take centuries—if it happened at all. Yet, by the early 2000s, satellite observations revealed an unexpected trend: the ozone layer was rebounding far faster than anticipated.

The Antarctic ozone hole has been steadily shrinking, thanks to the rapid decline in CFC emissions. By 2024, experts estimate that the ozone layer could return to pre‑1980 levels by the 2060s, a timeline dramatically shorter than the original century‑plus forecasts.

6 Early Climate Change Models Massively Underestimated Global Warming

In the 1970s and early 1980s, climate scientists began constructing computer models to predict how rising carbon‑dioxide levels would affect Earth’s temperature. Most early projections suggested a gradual warming over several centuries, allowing ample time for societies to adapt.

By the turn of the millennium, it became evident that these models had dramatically undervalued the speed of climate change. Record‑breaking heatwaves, accelerated ice melt, and extreme weather events erupted decades earlier than the models had forecasted. In 2023 alone, global temperatures shattered previous records, with some regions experiencing heat indexes exceeding 150 °F (65 °C)—levels once thought to be centuries away.

Moreover, potential tipping points, such as the collapse of the Greenland ice sheet, may now be irreversible. The underestimation of both the pace and severity of anthropogenic warming has delayed decisive action, making mitigation far more challenging than early scientists had anticipated.

5 The Great Horse Manure Crisis That Never Happened

In the late 1800s, major cities relied heavily on horse‑drawn transport, producing a staggering amount of manure that clogged streets. Urban planners of the era warned that by 1930, metropolises like New York and London could be buried under at least nine feet (2.7 m) of horse waste, rendering large‑scale urban living unsustainable.

Contemporary articles painted a grim picture: disease, filth, and unbearable stench were predicted to make city life unlivable. At the 1898 International Urban Planning Conference, officials struggled to devise solutions, convinced the problem was too massive to resolve.

Then, in a twist no one foresaw, the internal‑combustion engine arrived, rapidly displacing horse‑drawn transport. By 1912, the number of horses in major cities had already begun to decline sharply, virtually eliminating the looming manure mountain.

Thus, the apocalyptic scenario vanished almost overnight. Instead of drowning in horse waste, urban centers later grappled with traffic congestion and smog—demonstrating how technological disruption can overturn even the most dire scientific forecasts.

4 The Internet Was Supposed to Be a Niche Tool

In 1995, astronomer Clifford Stoll penned a now‑famous Newsweek piece declaring that the internet was overhyped and would never achieve widespread adoption. He dismissed ideas of online shopping, e‑books, and digital communities, insisting people would always prefer newspapers, brick‑and‑mortar stores, and physical libraries.

Many contemporaries echoed Stoll’s sentiment, believing the internet would remain a specialized instrument for governments and researchers rather than a household staple.

By the early 2000s, the reality was starkly different: Amazon reshaped retail, Google supplanted physical libraries, and social media platforms rewrote daily communication. As of 2024, over five billion people regularly use the internet, while traditional newspapers and bookstores struggle to survive. Stoll later admitted his mistake, labeling it one of his biggest blunders—a vivid reminder that even experts can profoundly misjudge technological trajectories.

3 NASA’s Early Estimate of the Moon’s Surface Was Way Off

Prior to Apollo 11’s historic 1969 landing, scientists held wildly divergent views about the Moon’s terrain. Some astronomers feared the lunar surface was cloaked in a deep layer of fine, powdery dust, potentially turning it into a treacherous sinkhole for spacecraft and astronauts alike.

These concerns stemmed from early telescope observations suggesting that lunar craters were filled with soft, drifting material. Some even speculated the Moon could be a bottomless dust trap, swallowing anything that touched it.

NASA took these warnings seriously, designing landing gear and astronaut boots to spread weight as evenly as possible. Yet when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on the Moon, they discovered a firm, stable surface, covered only by a thin veneer of fine dust.

The miscalculation arose from a misunderstanding of how micrometeorite impacts over billions of years compacted lunar regolith, creating a solid substrate. The astronauts walked without issue, and NASA never again worried about a dust‑filled abyss.

2 The Universe Was Supposed to Be Much Smaller

Before Edwin Hubble’s groundbreaking work in the 1920s, many astronomers believed the Milky Way encompassed the entire universe. The enigmatic “spiral nebulae” observed through telescopes were thought to be mere gas clouds within our own galaxy.

Renowned astronomer Harlow Shapley publicly asserted that the universe spanned only about 100,000 light‑years, based on the premise that the Milky Way was all there was.

Hubble’s observations of the Andromeda Nebula, however, proved it lay far beyond the Milky Way, establishing it as an independent galaxy. This revelation expanded the known universe by millions of times, revealing billions of galaxies strewn across unfathomable distances.

Today, scientists estimate the observable universe stretches at least 93 billion light‑years across—a staggering leap from Shapley’s modest 100,000‑light‑year figure.

1 The Human Genome Was Expected to Have Over 100,000 Genes

Before the Human Genome Project launched, geneticists predicted that humans possessed at least 100,000 genes, assuming that greater biological complexity required a correspondingly larger gene count. This belief stemmed from comparisons: bacteria harbor a few thousand genes, while fruit flies possess roughly 14,000.

Scientists reasoned that the human body, with its intricate functions and advanced cognition, must contain a six‑figure tally of protein‑coding genes.

When the Human Genome Project concluded in 2003, the findings were startling: humans actually have only about 20,000–25,000 genes—far fewer than the anticipated 100,000.

Even more surprising, some simpler organisms, such as certain plants and amphibians, possess more genes than humans. This paradigm‑shifting discovery forced researchers to recognize that gene regulation, expression patterns, and non‑coding DNA play far larger roles in defining complexity than sheer gene quantity.

Music and comedy may appear to occupy entirely different corners of the entertainment universe, yet both rely on a keen sense of timing, rhythm, and the ability to read a crowd. It’s a fun fact that many celebrated jokesters have also strummed guitars, tickled ivories, or even plucked banjos, proving that the two crafts often intersect. In this roundup we celebrate 10 wacky comics who have left their musical footprints alongside their punchlines.

10 wacky comics: Musical Mischief Meets Comedy

10 Craig Ferguson

When the off‑the‑wall Scottish‑born host wrapped up a decade‑long run of his idiosyncratic late‑night program in 2014, he chose to bow out with a full‑throttle performance of Dead Man Fall’s “Bang Your Drum.” The spectacle not only served as a rousing finale but also shone a spotlight on Ferguson’s earlier life as a percussionist. In his younger days he thumped out beats for a handful of Scottish bands, most notably a group originally called Bastards from Hell that later rebranded as Dreamboys – a band that boasted future Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi on vocals.

It was during his stint with Dreamboys that Ferguson realized the banter and improvisation of a comedy stage appealed to him more than the steady rhythm of a drum kit. Though his comedic and acting pursuits eventually eclipsed his musical ambitions, he never fully abandoned the sticks, popping up for drum spots on shows like The Late Late Show and keeping the beat alive whenever the occasion called for it.

9 Harpo Marx

The Marx Brothers are legendary for their slapstick brilliance, yet they were equally at home making music. While Chico tickled the ivories and Groucho plucked guitar strings, Harpo’s claim to fame was his mastery of the harp – the very instrument that inspired his stage name. He also dabbled on clarinet and piano, proving he was far from a one‑instrument wonder.

The trio originally cut their teeth in vaudeville as a musical act. Their mother, spotting a lucrative opportunity, sent Harpo a harp while they were on tour, prompting the young Harpo to teach himself the instrument. Later, he refined his skill under the tutelage of noted harpist Mildred Dilling, who praised his seriousness and dedication.

Beyond performing harp solos on stage and screen throughout his career, Harpo penned intricate arrangements for the instrument. His influence rippled far beyond the silver screen; harpist Carrol McLaughlin, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Arizona, has recreated Harpo’s pieces for live shows and notes, “I’ve met people worldwide who say they play the harp because of Harpo Marx.”

8 Katherine Ryan

Canadian‑born Katherine Ryan burst onto the comedy scene with a razor‑sharp wit honed during her stint at Hooters, later cementing her reputation with biting celebrity roasts across North America and the UK. Yet before the punchlines, Ryan honed her vocal cords on the musical‑theatre stage, appearing in productions such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie, and The King and I during her early career in Canada.

In 2023 she added another feather to her cap by joining the UK phenomenon The Masked Singer not once, but three times, each appearance cloaked in a pigeon costume. Though she ultimately bowed out after a spirited rendition of “Fight for This Love,” Ryan blamed the defeat on the cumbersome costume and the challenge of executing a choreographed routine while eight months pregnant.

7 Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais is best known for his razor‑sharp satire and dead‑pan delivery, but before the world knew him as the creator of The Office, he was the front‑man of a new‑wave synth‑pop duo called Seona Dancing. Formed in 1982 with keyboardist Bill Macrae while they were wrapping up their studies at University College London, the band released a handful of tracks that struggled to find a foothold in the UK.

One of those tracks, “More to Lose,” defied the odds by becoming a runaway hit across the Philippines, where it turned into a cultural touchstone. Time even described the song as “a cultural landmark in the Philippines,” attesting to its lasting resonance.

Gervais reflects on his brief musical interlude with characteristic wit, telling the Philippine Daily Inquirer, “People always find that picture of me looking thin and young. It’s terrible, isn’t it? I had a jaw and lovely, thick hair.” After Seona Dancing dissolved in 1984, he dabbled as a band manager and radio personality before comedy took the driver’s seat.

6 Adam Sandler

When most people think of Adam Sandler’s musical output, they picture the goofy parodies that have become staples of his comedy albums – tracks like “Lunchlady Land” and “Ode to My Car.” Yet beneath the humor lies a genuinely heartfelt side, exemplified by songs such as the moving tribute “Chris Farley Song,” which earned critical praise for its sincerity.

Sandler’s cinematic breakthrough came with the 1998 rom‑com The Wedding Singer, where he not only delivered hysterical numbers like “Somebody Kill Me” but also serenaded Drew Barrymore’s character with the tender ballad “Grow Old with You,” showcasing his softer, melodic sensibility.

Adept at the six‑string, Sandler has showcased his guitar chops on multiple television appearances, most notably a standout performance on Conan in 2020 and during his 2018 Netflix special 100% Fresh. He routinely incorporates an impressive collection of guitars into his live tours, proving that his musicality is as serious a pursuit as his comedy.

5 Maya Rudolph

Saturday Night Live alumna Maya Rudolph hails from a lineage steeped in musical excellence – she is the daughter of legendary soul singer Minnie Riperton and acclaimed composer/producer Richard Rudolph. Growing up surrounded by melody, it was almost inevitable that Maya would develop her own musical chops, briefly joining the indie rock outfit The Rentals as a keyboardist before carving out a robust singing career.

In a candid NPR interview, Rudolph reflected on her heritage, noting, “Music poured out of my mother, and I’m sure I heard it before I even got here when I was in her belly.” This familial immersion in song has informed a varied discography that includes contributions to major film soundtracks, such as the duet with Amy Adams on the Disenchanted soundtrack.

While audiences most readily recognize her for her comedic roles in movies like Grown Ups and Bridesmaids, Rudolph’s musical talent shines through memorable moments like her spot‑on Beyoncé impersonation on SNL, where comedy and vocal prowess collided in a spectacular display.

4 Woody Allen

Woody Allen is celebrated for his neurotic humor and prolific filmography, yet his love affair with jazz runs deep. For decades he’s been a regular clarinetist, fronting his own New‑Orleans‑style jazz ensemble that has performed at iconic venues such as Manhattan’s Carlyle Hotel.

The clarinet became a personal passion for Allen during his teenage years, shortly after World War II, as he gravitated toward early‑20th‑century styles like ragtime. One of his earliest televised clarinet showcases came on The Dick Cavett Show in 1971, cementing his reputation as a serious musician.

Allen’s musical journey continued with a European tour in 1996 alongside his New Orleans Jazz Band, a venture documented in the film Wild Man Blues. The same year the group released an eponymous album, further solidifying his dual identity as filmmaker and clarinet virtuoso.

3 Steve Martin

Banjo virtuoso Steve Martin has long been a fixture of the comedy circuit, but his mastery of the instrument has propelled him into the realm of serious musicianship. He first incorporated the banjo into his act in the early 1970s, using it to lend credibility to his off‑the‑wall routines, explaining, “My act was so crazy I thought it’s probably good to show the audience I can do something that looks hard, because this act looks like I’m just making it up.”

A self‑taught player from age 17, Martin drew inspiration from legends such as Earl Scruggs, Pete Seeger, and The Kingston Trio. Initially, he paired the banjo with satirical songs, but over time his artistry evolved into a dedicated pursuit of composition and performance.

The watershed moment arrived in 2001 when Martin joined forces with luminaries like Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Marty Stewart, Leon Russell, Jerry Douglas, and Scruggs’ sons Randy and Gary on The Late Show with David Letterman for a rendition of “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.” Their collaboration earned a Grammy‑winning studio recording, and Martin has since released multiple albums and even established an award honoring banjo excellence.

2 Dudley Moore

Dudley Moore, best remembered for his endearing roles in films such as Arthur (1981), was also an accomplished pianist who fronted his own jazz trio and amassed a discography exceeding a dozen albums.

Moore’s musical pedigree was evident early on; he secured a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music at just eleven, later earning another to study at Magdalen College, Oxford. Though classically trained in piano, he gravitated toward jazz, performing publicly with his trio while also dabbling across a spectrum of other genres.

His dual‑career kickoff came with the groundbreaking satirical revue “Beyond the Fringe,” where he simultaneously showcased his comedic timing and musical flair. Over the ensuing decades, Moore blended song parodies and original compositions into his television and film appearances, cementing his reputation as a versatile entertainer.

One of his most beloved on‑screen personas was the songwriter George Webber in the hit movie 10. Off‑screen, Moore was a prolific composer, penning scores for projects ranging from the 1967 cult classic Bedazzled to numerous other film and television scores.

1 Jamie Foxx

While many actors have portrayed musicians without formal training, Jamie Foxx entered the role of Ray Charles in the 2004 biopic Ray armed with a classical piano scholarship and a deep appreciation for the legend’s technique. He described the experience as “a blessing and a curse,” noting the countless hours spent mastering Ray’s intricate fingering to achieve authentic on‑screen performance.

Beyond the silver screen, Foxx has forged a successful career as an R&B singer, releasing several chart‑topping albums. His 2005 double‑platinum record Unpredictable and the 2008 platinum‑selling Intuition, featuring collaborations with heavyweights like Kanye West and Lil Wayne, underscore his standing as a serious musical talent.

You passionately want to find out who these female warriors were, warrior women who made a real impression on history. The problem is you are only reading half-truths from every piece of information you find. It’s like you’re searching for info on people that nobody knows about.

And sometimes you wonder if such warriors actually existed. After all, if they were real, it wouldn’t be this hard, would it?

But in truth, it just means you haven’t been searching in the right place for their information. More specifically, you have been looking in the wrong place for the info you want.

So let’s check out these historical warrior women, one by one. Because when you know them, you can know the impact they made on history.

10. Queen Yennenga of the Mossi Kingdom

During the 12th century in Northern Ghana the Dagomba Kingdom existed with King Nedega at the helm of power. The king had a daughter called Yennenga therefore she was a princess. She was beloved by her father the king who taught her and she excelled in the skills of javelin use, spear and bow use plus she became an excellent horsewoman.

Her skills in the battlefield were remarkable as when she was only 14 years of age she accompanied her father to fight the Malinkes. She was not only a spectator of war. But she actively participated. She commanded her own battalion which made her beloved by the people.

Yennenga was such an amazing fighter for the Dagomba kingdom that when she reached marriageable age her father refused to her getting married. The king was not ready to lose his best fighter and beloved daughter. Her overprotective father did not choose any suitable husband for her leading Yennenga to become unhappy causing a rift between the king and princess.

She took matters in her own hands and one night escaped dressed as a man riding a horse. She travelled far reaching a house belonging to an elephant hunter who later became her husband. The Queen had a son called Ouedraogo and the Mossi kingdom was born.

Yennenga is considered the mother of the Mossi kingdom in modern day Burkina Faso. She became a symbol of Burkina Faso culture and pride as there are different statues of Queen Yennenga plus paintings of her on horseback. The Mossi people still exist today in Burkina Faso and are the largest ethnic group in the country. This mother of a nation is also one of the great African female warriors.

9. Queen Arachidamia of Sparta

She was a Spartan queen during the 3rd century BCE who was married to King Eudamidas I of Sparta. She was an active queen engaged in the political undertaking and events of Sparta.

As the Spartan queen was concerned on Sparta’s welfare, in the far distance Pyrrhus was conquering lands like Macedonia. Pyrrhus was considered by most historians as second behind only to Alexander the Great. This general was a skilled tactician as well as a good swordsmanship. With his victories he set his sight on Sparta to conquer. His motivation to take Sparta was spurred by the fact that most of the army had gone to the Island of Crete.

Pyrrhus arrived on the outskirts of Sparta with his army of 27,000 men and 24 elephants against Sparta which had 2,000 men left behind. The Spartan men considered sending the women to Crete for their safety. This is where Queen Arachidamia came before the men sword in hand as she stated that the Spartan women won’t stand by and see their city fall.

The women started helping out by digging trenches to deter the elephant movement and wagons to act as barriers. They were also to provide food, water, weapons and tend to the wounded. The Spartan men and women together formed a defensive line against Pyrrhus army.

The siege of Lacedaemon was a tough battle as Pyrrhus war tactics didn’t lead to success. A battle that was supposed to be easy and fast became grueling to Pyrrhus and his army. Eventually Pyrrhus was forced to seek peace with Sparta but it was too late as reinforcement arrived forcing him to retreat.

The queen and the women were true warriors and Sparta’s resilient was evident here. Sparta was considered a great ally but a deadly foe. The Spartan women truly made their mark on history.

8. Queen Mandukhai Khatun of the Mongol Empire

She was born in 1449 in Eastern Mongolia and at the age of 18 she was married to Manduul Khan, who ruled the Mongol Empire from 1473 to 1479. Although Manduul Khan had other wives, they were childless but Mandukhai Khatun gave birth to two daughters for him. This enabled her to become a favorite wife of the Mongol Empire king.

Unfortunately Manduul Khan was assassinated by his advisor in 1479 leaving the empire with no ruler. Since the Mongol Empire king did not have a male heir there was a power struggle as to who will be Khan among the princes of Mongolia and nobles.

This led to Queen Mandukhai Khatun adopting Batmunkh, a 7 year old boy who was a direct descendant of the great Genghis Khan. She declared him as Dayan Khan (Mongol Empire king) as she acted as regent. Queen Mandukhai Khatun acted as ruler in an empire where there were different warring factions. The empire was not united with the different tribes.

She was a hands on ruler as she took part in the wars involving the empire, first she went to war with the Oirats in Western Mongolia. Her victory over them showed her might and united the Mongolian empire.

When the Dayan Khan finally turned 19 years of age, Queen Mandukhai Khatun became his wife. They both focused on the Ming Dynasty in China that was trying to frustrate the Mongols by closing trade with them and they had killed a Mongol envoy. To try and stop them and their army, the Ming’s expanded the Great Wall of China but this didn’t stop the Mongols. They conducted raids on the Ming territory capturing lands.

While pregnant with twin sons the Oirats repelled again, with Dayan Khan they fought off the Oirats and quelled the rebellion. Queen Mandukhai Khatun was literally in the battles although she was pregnant and actually gave birth during the battle.

She was a real warrior queen that is the female version of Genghis Khan. In 1510 Queen Mandukhai Khatun died of natural causes leaving a great legacy as most of her children later became Mongolian khans and nobles.

7. Queen Mavia of Arabia

A 4th century queen of the Saracens that were a group of Arab tribes that inhabited parts of Syria and Jordan. She was married to Al-Hawari who was king of the Saracens but he later died without any heir. Therefore Mavia took power as queen and ruler. She is one of the lesser known female warriors.

During this time the Roman Empire under Emperor Valens were engaged in war against the Goths who were a real threat to the empire. As the empire stretched from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, the conquered lands had to provide soldiers to fight in Roman wars. This is the same request Queen Mavia received from the Romans.

But the queen wasn’t happy with Rome’s request and demand for soldiers for their wars. It was a no on her part to the Romans request. This is where revolt against the Romans begun and the queen moved her people from Aleppo to the desert so that the Romans won’t have a specific target to attack.

She personally raised an army and led it to wars against the Romans. Her utilization of guerilla tactics proved successful as the Romans lost in such occasions. Her campaigns and raids in Phoenicia and Palestine cemented her military might and leadership where her army laid waste to most of the towns and cities.

Emperor Valens response to this revolt was by sending more Roman troops to quell the resistance. But this plan didn’t work out as the force sent was defeated with some retreating. The Romans were forced to negotiate a peace treaty with Queen Mavia who ensured the survival of her nation plus caused the mighty Roman Empire to leave her be.

6. Queen Artemisia l of Caria

She was queen of a Greek city called Halicarnassus (in modern day Turkey) during the 6th century BC that was allied with the Persians. Artemisia came to power when her husband died and her son Pisindelis was too young to rule therefore she took charge.

Artemisia was not only queen but also warrior and naval commander. A brave naval commander that was part of the Persian navy fight against the Greeks. When King Xerxes of Persia tried to conquer Greece, she requested Artemisia to join him and became naval commander, first female commander of the Persian navy.

She was a great and tactical warrior that King Xerxes took advice from her but the king didn’t heed her advice against fighting the Greek navy. She said that it wasn’t a wise move to fight the Greek navy on their own waters. Although the Battle of Salamis was a defeat to the Persian navy, Queen Artemisia bravery was evident with King Xerxes stating that;

My men have turned into women and my women men.

She was such a threat to the Greeks that a bounty of 10,000-drachma was placed on her dead or alive. A great asset to the Persians that Xerxes sought her advice after the defeat at sea on their next move. She advised the king to go back to Persia which he heeded to and awarded her with a Greek suit of armor.

A warrior queen that knew how to fight and win wars plus she wasn’t afraid of speaking her truth. She reigned as queen for 24 years and was a great ally to the Persians and upon her death, her son Pisindelis became ruler.

5. Rani Laxmibai: The Warrior Queen of Jhansi, India

She was born in 1828 to Moropant Tambe as her father and Bhagirathi Sapre as her mother. But unfortunately her mother passed on when she was only 4 years of age therefore was raised and taught by her father. She was an independent girl from a young age and educated in archery, horsemanship and swordsmanship which would prove useful later in life.

In 1842 she was married to the Maharaja of Jhansi therefore she became Queen Laxmibai of Jhansi. But she became widowed in 1853 at a time when the British East India Company was in a push to control all the kingdoms of India. Because the Maharaja and Laxmibai didn’t produce any heir of their own but they had adopted a son, Damodar Rao, to be heir of Jhansi. The British were to take control of any kingdom that didn’t have any heir and Laxmibai claim that Damodar Rao was the rightful heir was rejected by the British.

In 1857 Indian rebellion against the British started but the queen wasn’t keen on fighting the British. She actually wanted peace and for Jhansi to be in her control. But when the British allies Orchha and Datia invaded Jhansi, she recognized that British were not for peace but war. She actually was able to defeat their allies on August 1857.

She joined the rebellion on 1858 where the British laid siege to Jhansi that had been heavily fortified with cannons. Laxmibai managed to push back the British that tried to advance scaling the walls using ladders. The siege started on 23rd March 1858 and the defenses were breached on 2nd April 1858. The British gained entry to Jhansi and engaged on street battles where Queen Laxmibai was forced to flee with her son Damodar Rao strapped on her back by horse.

She fled to the towns of Kalpi and Gwalior which both fell to the British. In Gwalior she commanded the Indian force against the British where she was wounded and not willing to be captured by the British, she told a hermit to burn her body. On 17th June 1858 Queen Laxmibai was dead and her body was cremated by the locals.

She was such a fierce warrior that the British commanding officer in India Sir Hugh Rose stated:

She was remarkable for her bravery, cleverness and perseverance; her generosity to her subordinates was unbounded. These qualities combined with her rank, rendered her the most dangerous of the rebel leaders.

Queen Laxmibai is still a symbol of India’s struggles for independence against the British. She is honored in India with schools, statues and even a women’s unit for India’s army was named after her. She definitely made the list of India’s female warriors throughout history.

4. Queen Yaa Asantewaa of the Ashanti empire

The Ashanti Empire was in what is modern day Ghana that the British set their sight on. Her accession to be Queen Yaa Asantewaa came about when her brother died on 1894. As queen she had a stool that is the symbol of the king or queen. This is what is referred to as The Golden Stool.

The Golden Stool was a symbol of unity of the Ashanti Empire; it was used during the inauguration of a new ruler. But the ruler doesn’t actually sit on it, the ruler sits beside it and it never touches the ground. So when the British official in the empire, Sir Frederick Mitchell Hodgson, demanded for it to sit on it was an insult to the Ashanti Empire and its rulers.

Queen Yaa Asantewaa was angered by the comments of the British official and the Ashanti men considering surrendering The Golden Stool to the British. She said the following to show her disappointment on the Ashanti men;

If you, the men of Asante, will not go forward, then we will. I shall call upon my fellow women. We will fight the white men. We will fight till the last of us falls on the battlefield.

The War of the Golden Stool started against the British. She was chosen as the one to lead the army becoming the first and only Asante woman as military leader. They laid siege to Fort Kumasi where the British were situated but were defeated and Queen Yaa Asantewaa captured. She was exiled like most African rulers and independence heroes to the Seychelles where she died in 1921.

Queen Yaa Asantewaa is a symbol of Ghana’s independence history against the British. She is revered in Ghana with school and institutions having her name. But the British never got possession of The Golden Stool.

3. Queen Amanirenas of the Kingdom of Kush

A one eyed queen that was a warrior woman that was a thorn on the Romans. Her kingdom was in modern day Sudan and was in war with the Romans that were in control of Egypt. Her kingdom was not a mighty or big as the Roman Empire, it was a small kingdom that was neighboring Ancient Egypt.

Ancient Egypt was in control of Emperor Augustus after he had managed to defeat Mark Anthony and Cleopatra. The Kushites attacked with the queen leading the way and they managed to take control of Syene and Philae capturing Roman captives. Her destruction of Augustus statues and returning to her kingdom with Augustus head was a great humiliation to Rome. By the way Emperor Augustus head is now in the British museum.

But these wars led to the death of Queen Amanirena husband but Amanirena and her son continued fighting the Romans. Rome’s response to this defeat was fierce where they managed to recapture the cities they had lost and attacked the Kingdom of Kush. They captured many people who were sold into slavery.

The Kushite queen unleashed attacks against the Romans with this war lasting for five (5) years. Peace negotiations were started and peace was agreed on with the kingdom being left alone by the Romans. This led to peace between the two parties and Queen Amanirena cemented her legacy as one of the many female warriors that was a headache to the mighty Romans.

2. Queen Nzinga Mbande of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms

An African queen during the 17th century and was ruler of kingdoms on the southwestern of Africa which is modern day Angola. She was of royal blood and was daughter of King Kiluanji of the Ndongo and she was not even in line for the throne of the kingdom. Her brother, Ngola Mbandi, was to be the next when King Kiluanji dies.

When his brother came to power, it was a time when the Trans-Atlantic slave trade was at its peak. The European powers were in the scramble for Africa and the Portuguese and Dutch were both interested in modern day Angola. The Portuguese had managed to control the neighboring Kingdom of Kongo and Ndongo Kingdom was their next target.

The Portuguese invited King Ngola Mbandi to peace talks and negotiation due to the war waged by Portugal against the kingdom in 1617. The king sent his sister Nzinga Mbande to represent him. At the meeting only the Portuguese were provided with chairs while Nzinga Mbande was expected to sit on the floor mat provided. Mbande didn’t sit on the mat but instructed one of her servants to act as her chair by going down on all fours.

In the meeting the Portuguese agreed to release the Ndongo people taken up as prisoners but Mbande had to convert to Christianity. She was baptized and her Christian name was Anna de Sousa and a peace treaty was formed in 1621.

But unfortunately the Portuguese didn’t keep their word forcing King Ngola Mbandi to commit suicide. This put Nzinga Mbande as queen on 1626 at a time when war had been declared on the Ndongo Kingdom by both the Portuguese and the neighboring tribes. This forced Mbande to flee to Ndongo with her people to Matamba Kingdom where she captured the queen of this kingdom. She installed herself as new queen of Matamba where it was a launching pad for attacks against the Portuguese.

She gave refuge to runaway slaves as she raised an army against the Portuguese but her alliance with the Dutch strengthened her army. Also, she adopted guerrilla warfare and personally led her army to war. In 1644 she defeated the Portuguese armies but was unable to recover all lands of the Ndongo kingdom.

She fought the Portuguese into her 60s where the long war came to an end in 1657. As one of Africa’s famous female warriors, she concerned herself on building her kingdoms that had been ravaged by war. She didn’t manage to drive out Portugal from her kingdoms but is a symbol of Angolan independence fight. A statue of this queen in Kinaxixi Square Angola is a way to appreciate her fight for Angola. She died on 1663 at 81 years of age.

1. Queen Fu Hao of the Shang Dynasty, China

During 13th century China Fu Hao was among the 60 wives of King Wu Ding of the Shang dynasty. She managed to rise through the ranks eventually having a military position as general. This queen of the Shang dynasty became the first female Chinese general commanding 13,000 soldiers.

This was not only a title for her as she showed her skills in various wars fought against neighboring kingdoms. For example in the war against the Tu-Fang who were a constant thorn to the Shang dynasty, she managed to defeat them in a single battle. She was so successful in her military campaigns that the king gave her a fiefdom of land from the territories she conquered.

She not only was military general but also a spiritual leader that is the high priestess. Her role to the Shang dynasty was so great that when she finally died at age 33, the military dominance of the kingdom weakened. Queen Fu Hao story always seemed like a myth with doubts about the existence of such a warrior woman. But there were discoveries in 1976 of the tomb of this queen and general. The well preserved tomb had bronze, jade and weapons that had her personal inscription.

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