Coincidence or Fate? - Umberto of Italy

The night of July 28^th, 1900, King Umberto I of Italy dined at a restaurant in a little town outside of Milan.  He was taken by the restaurateur's similarity in face and build.  He was astounded to then learn the man's name was also Umberto.  Then, he learned the two were born in the same town!  On the same day in the same year...

The two marveled at their many similarities, which didn't end there: They'd both married a woman named Margherita on the same date of the same year, and had both named their son Vittorio!  When he learned that they had been decorated for bravery together on two occasions, the King told his men, "I intend to make that man a Caveliere of the Crown of Italy tomorrow."

Unfortunately, King Umberto I of Italy was told his "double" had been shot and killed in an accident earlier that day.  The King asked about Umberto's funeral so he could attend and pay his respects.  Suddenly, three shots rang out!  One assassin's bullet missed, but the bullets of the other two shooters' pierced King Umberto I's heart, killing him instantly.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009