The Mandela Effect

Internet Myths & Legends

In 2009, Fiona Broome, a paranormal consultant, took to the web detailing a startling discovery she'd made; Nelson Mandela was alive. To Broome, this was impossible; she recalled his death in prison in the 80s. She remembered watching his funeral on tv. She even remembered Willie Mandela’s eulogy. Yet, none of it happened. Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990. Became president of South Africa in 1994 before eventually dying in 2013. But, in 2009, he was very much alive.

When Broome posted about her historical gaffe, much to her surprise, she found people with the same recollections. Not just a few either; thousands. Thus, the Mandela Effect, a term coined to describe an event that an individual recalls very clearly, but that does not align with historical record was born.

All of this sounds impossible, but it turns out this type of large-scale misremembering happens more often than we'd like to believe. So, are we that bad at remembering things OR is there something cosmic at play?
Written, composed, narrated and produced by Luke Brown. Vocal performances by Vicktoria Adam, Tristian Hernandez, Sarah Horsemen, Stephanie Hope Lawlor, Amber Mills, and Ryan M. Sero.Story Editing by Vicktoria Adam.