Is Today the End of the World—Again
Dec. 21 is not the first time the apocalypse was supposed to bring down the curtain on the world.
Many a prophet of doom has predicted the end of the world. The latest forecast is for Dec. 21, the day the Mayans foresaw the apocalypse, according to some armchair historians.
Before hunkering down in your cellar with non-perishable foods and a wind-up radio, take a look at all the other ends of the world that have come and gone. Also, take a look at where NASA weighs on the burning question.
Here are some past-due end dates the earth itself debunked by simply living past them.
Expired End of the World Days
1525: Doomsday Peasant Revolt
Anabaptist Thomas Muntzer apparently was a bit off on the "end of all ages," and his belief inspired him to lead an unsuccessful peasant's revolt, according to A Brief History of the Apacolypse's website. It reports he was tortured and executed. So, dance and have a hoopla on Dec. 21 if you must, but don't rile the peasants.
1694: New World Trip to Greet Jesus' Return
Woman in the Wilderness pilgrims set out from Germany to America in 1694 to welcome Jesus back to earth, according to the apocalypse history website. It says they made it to the New World. But the personal meeting, not so much.
1697: Witch-Hunter Sniffs Out The End of the World
Cotton Mather, a.k.a. notorious witch-hunter, said it would all be over in 1697, according to the apocalypse history website. Apparently Mather was as skilled at end time prophesy as he was at smelling out witches.
1806: Hen's Messages on Eggs Warn of the End
Claims broke out that a hen in Leeds, England was laying eggs that bore the written message "Christ is coming," according to Live Science's website. It states many were convinced this meant doomsday was close. Such eggspectations!
1910: Halley's Comet Would Gas Mankind Like Bugs
Fears arose that when the earth passed through the tail of Halley's Comet in 1910, the comet would douse everyone on the planet with deadly toxic gas, according to Live Science.
Newspaper headlines across America warned of danger. "Halley's Comet May Snuff Out Life on the Earth," read The Ogden Standard. "We may have a chance to feel the sensations of the bugs and insects which are killed by the use of this deadly gas as an exterminator."
Y2K: Death by Computers.
No they wouldn't look like Arnold Schwarzenegger, but many were convinced that computers would usher in the destruction of the world when 2000 AD hit because they would not be able to tell the difference between 2000 and 1900 dates. But the earth didn't buy it, promising, "I'll be back."
What do you think, is it finally the end after all or is it just a Mayan hen laying an egg this time? Tell us below—in our poll or comments.
Jenni Pompi
9:44 am on Friday, December 21, 2012
Are you guys still here?!
Bailey Henneberg
10:33 am on Friday, December 21, 2012
Haha. Yes Jenni, although it was really iffy this morning at first... I had a serious hangnail. Scary.
Pachacutec
1:03 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
What about that guy that said the end of the world was coming last May and then changed it to October? (haven't heard much about him lately, by the way!!). If I gotta go, I'd rather go with the Mayans - MUCH cooler!
Bailey Henneberg
1:40 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Hahaha. Yeah, what about these date changers? I didn't put it in the story, but apparently there have been a bunch of Doomsday prophets who tried to change end dates when they botched their first ones.
Yamin Jalali
1:49 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
don't worry the day will not come until the sun rises from the west.on that day everybody would believe that ISLAM is the true religion ,but the belief of that time will be useless and no repentance for sins will be accepted.
Patrick Urquidez
11:24 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
That is your belief, and you are welcome to share your beliefs with everyone. I will respect your religious beliefs as long as you respect my Christian beliefs, but if you take offense at me because of my beliefs, then you insult both Islam and Christianity. God bless my friend.