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If I could make a quick call in history, it would definitely be to the people of Pompeii to warn them to get out of the city. Of course, they will think I’m some cursed spirit going against their gods or some enemy creature forcing them out of their homes.
These fantasies seem ridiculous, as we all know that such a phone doesn’t exist, but it sounds super useful. So, folks instantly delivered when a Reddit user enquired, “You get one 30‑second phone call to any moment in history — who do you call and what do you say?” Here’s what they had to say!
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#2
I'm calling Robin Williams to tell him that the world loves him and he's made a difference. We want him to stay but if he needs to go, we will keep loving him anyway.
Dodie Spotts 1 day ago
THIS. I remember waking up, opening my news app, and reading that he was gone. I bawled like a little kid. He was everything good in the world. He was everything. Period. The world lost a rare and precious gem.
#3
I'd call my husband & tell him I love him one more time before he died.
As you scroll through the list, you will see that some of these range from absolutely hilarious to downright serious. People have mentioned the last moments of famous personalities and even of their dear ones. Well, that is only natural—when staying up-to-date with everything, reading a new novel, or watching that season finale, we often forget to communicate with the ones close to us.
It's crazy to think how social media connects us with people who are oceans away, yet distances us from the ones who are so near to us. And when you lose those people, the grief obviously hits hard, and you want nothing more than to spend just one more second with them if possible.
#4
I'd call my kitty, Boots, who I had to let go several months ago. I'd tell him that I loved him again, that I miss him so much, and I'd thank him for such a wonderful 12 years of love and friendship. I'm sure he'd rub on the phone and give his little "Mmreow!" Like he always did. 💗.
#5
On 27th June 2009 id call Steven Hawking and apologise for the late notice, but something come up and i wont be able to attend his party on the following day.
#6
Lady, the gorillas at the Cincinnati Zoo aren’t that exciting. Don’t even bother going.
Some people have also spoken about famous historical moments that they would like to get in touch with. Let's look at one of my personal favorites, the story of Ea-nāṣir. For those who don't know, the "complaint tablet to Ea-nāṣir" is basically the world’s oldest recorded customer complaint. That's right, even ancient people hated bad service.
It’s a little clay tablet from around 1750 BCE in Mesopotamia, where a guy named Nanni totally calls out a copper merchant, Ea-nāṣir, for delivering bad quality copper and being super rude about it. It’s hilarious and relatable because it proves that even 4,000 years ago, people were already dealing with shady business deals and writing strongly worded messages about them.
#7
My mom. I just want her to talk, so I can hear her voice again.
#8
I’d call Alexander Graham Bell a few seconds before he attempted to make the first successful phone call in history.
That’d probably f**k him up pretty good.
#9
Myself four weeks ago and tell me the numbers for the next 100m euro Eurojackpot .
From Abraham Lincoln to Princess Diana, people said that they would warn them about the devastating things that eventually took their lives. Both are notable figures who changed the lives of so many people, so I get why folks would want to save them. It would be an absolute miracle to see how things would turn out for these two if they were indeed left alive.
Someone also jokingly mentioned how they would call themselves in 2005 and advise buying Bitcoin. Considering that there are people who actually made millions because of Bitcoin, I'd say Amen to that! Another fellow also mentioned that they would call themselves just to share the number of the next jackpot. Well, it looks like this magical phone is quickly turning into a golden opportunity for folks.
#10
I'd call Ea-Nasir and ask him why he was selling such bad quality copper, and treating his clients with such contempt.
#11
“Hey Chuck. Leave work and go to the hospital in town. No, the good hospital. Trust me. We’ll meet you there. Go now. Tell them it’s a pulmonary embolism. Yeah, like Dads.”
I would literally give my right arm. Maybe even the left one too.
#12
I'd call myself around 2014 or so to tell earlier me that Dad is going to get Alzheimer's and you need to move immediately to secure all financial documents and to make sure the home insurance gets paid because he's going to blow it off. Also find a way to get his driver's license away from him.
One that really warmed my heart was a phone call to Robin Williams. Just to tell him that the world loves him, and oh, how true that is! Despite what he was going through in his own life, he brought a smile to the lives of so many people.
Someone also mentioned tipping the FBI about the horror that was going to take over New York on 9/11. That would be truly helpful, right? Just makes us wish the phone calls were real.
#13
If I got one 30-second call to any moment in history, I’d call Alan Turing in 1952. I’d tell him, “Hey, your work changes everything computers, AI, all of it. Please leave the UK, they won’t treat you right. The future sees you as a hero. Stay safe.
#14
~~ICE~~ The United States Immigration and Naturalisation Service in 1992. Warn them that a South African is overstaying his visa and get him deported asap.
Edit: fixed my error. In my defence, not American or know about the history of ICE.
#15
“Don’t go to work today Dad”.
Looking at the number of people who mentioned calling their loved ones, it just made me realize that I need to start spending more time with my family. Well, taking my mom out for dinner this weekend sounds like a good idea. I would strongly advise you to do the same. Not just your mom, but any of your loved ones.
Anyway, that's the end from us folks. We want to hear who you would pick, and what you would say to them. Feel free to share with us in the comments. Also, don't forget to upvote your personal favorites on this list!
#16
Tell Princess Diana to not get in the car.
Janelle Collard 1 day ago
Or, tell her to stop dating Dodi a week before Aug. 31st or tell her to get her own bodyguards.
#17
I’d call Sinéad O’Connor right before she tore up the picture of the pope on SNL. I’d tell her that no one was going to understand, but that time would vindicate her.
#18
I’d call the guy building the Titanic and just say, “Iceberg. April 14th. Trust me.” *Click.*.
Jrog 18 hours ago
That would be useless. Icebergs on that route were a regular occurrence and would not have raised an eyebrow. Also, "the guy building the titanic" would be any of roughly 3000 people, from riveters and porters to architects and engineers. You would have a slightly better chance calling the CEO of the company, J. Bruce Ismay
#19
Just call my parents and hear their voices one more time. A bonus if they both laugh.
I’m in my 60’s now and i never stopped missing my parents.
#22
My uncle, I’d apologise for not being with him more, I hope he’s doing well up in the clouds and that I miss him deeply.
#24
This past week, two of my cousins just passed away in a violent car crash because the driver fell asleep behind the wheel. They were little brothers to me. I’d call them 30 seconds before the crash to wake them up 😢I miss them so much already and I will miss them for the rest of my life 😞.
#27
JFK, *"There are snipers in Dallas, put the roof on the limo."*.
#28
"Archduke Franz Ferdinand must not go to Sarajevo. The conditions there are not good.".
#29
My grandma a few days before she died so I could say goodbye and tell her about her great grand baby.
#30
"Barack, I know it would be satisfying to roast Trump at the Correspondents Dinner tonight - but trust me, it's not worth what happens afterwards.".
RedMarbles 8 hours ago
Worth a try but I don't think it would have made a difference. The embarrassment-in-chief has always been a person striving for nothing but more and more money and power for himself. Read an interesting take recently that said many of his supporters love him because they have been ridiculed themselves and he takes their shame away and onto himself when he becomes the victim who is being ridiculed, and he is the president in power so it's all ok. They're ok.
#31
I’d call myself a few years ago and tell myself to get a cancer screening asap.
Kombatbunni 1 day ago
My grandparents, to say I love them. Or myself at 18 and tell her not to get married.
#32
2005 me. Buy bitcoin.
#33
My grandfather in 2013, and convinced him to please go see a doctor instead of waiting for us to be back from overseas trip.
What do you think ?
marianne eliza 8 hours ago
I'd call myself in 1976 and tell me to take that job parking cars at Apple. No pay, just stock.
Sven Horlemann 17 hours ago
I'd be petty. As a German, I'd call H*tler and tell him he will lose "his" war and k**l himself.
Roni Stone 1 day ago
I'd call myself in 1982 and tell me to buy up at least $1,000 worth of Apple stock, $100.00 a month (all I would be able to afford then), and hang on to it tight for the next 40 years. Don't tell hubs, because that ain't gonna last, but make sure we remember all the details. We're gonna need it when The orange felon (don't ask) topples the US economy.
John Dilligaf 10 hours ago
Call Abraham Lincoln. "Do not, under any circumstances, go to Ford's theater. The actor John Wilks Booth is involved in an assassination plot against you, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War. "
Michael Largey 1 day ago
Rome. March 14, 44 BC. "Hey, Julie, baby. Sleep in tomorrow. The Senate can wait."
Slapdash1 18 hours ago
According to legend he had already been told to avoid the ides of march.
Load More Replies... marianne eliza 8 hours ago
I'd call myself in 1976 and tell me to take that job parking cars at Apple. No pay, just stock.
Sven Horlemann 17 hours ago
I'd be petty. As a German, I'd call H*tler and tell him he will lose "his" war and k**l himself.
Roni Stone 1 day ago
I'd call myself in 1982 and tell me to buy up at least $1,000 worth of Apple stock, $100.00 a month (all I would be able to afford then), and hang on to it tight for the next 40 years. Don't tell hubs, because that ain't gonna last, but make sure we remember all the details. We're gonna need it when The orange felon (don't ask) topples the US economy.
John Dilligaf 10 hours ago
Call Abraham Lincoln. "Do not, under any circumstances, go to Ford's theater. The actor John Wilks Booth is involved in an assassination plot against you, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War. "
Michael Largey 1 day ago
Rome. March 14, 44 BC. "Hey, Julie, baby. Sleep in tomorrow. The Senate can wait."
Slapdash1 18 hours ago
According to legend he had already been told to avoid the ides of march.
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