Community Corner

12/21/12: Did the Mayan Calendar Predict Doomsday?

The Mayan calendar ends on the stroke of the Winter Solstice on Dec. 21, 2012. But is it the end of the world?

It’s 12/21/12, and we’re still alive.

Dec. 21, 2012 is Doomsday according to what some have said the Mayan calendar prophesized. According to the hype, the Maya predicted the Apocalypse right at the hour of the Winter Solstice, at 5:11 a.m. EST. But what did the Maya really say about Dec. 21, 2012?

It turns out, some experts say, the Mayans really didn’t make any apocalyptic prophetic statements about Dec. 21, 2012.

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The Maya kept three different calendars, the final one – the 5,125-year-Long Count Calendar ending on Dec. 21, 2012 – is said to complete a major cycle.

While some have speculated that the Maya may have considered the 21st of December important to end their Long Count Calendar on that date, but there is no known record of the Maya ever predicting an apocalyptic end, or even a major milestone, occurring on the date.

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NASA released a statement about the Doomsday talk.

"The world will not end in 2012," NASA writes. "Our planet has been getting along just fine for more than 4 billion years, and credible scientists worldwide know of no threat associated with 2012.

"Just as the calendar you have on your kitchen wall does not cease to exist after December 31, the Mayan calendar does not cease to exist on December 21, 2012," NASA writes. "This date is the end of the Mayan long-count period but then -- just as your calendar begins again on January 1 -- another long-count period begins for the Mayan calendar."

The ancient Maya, whose empire collapsed in 900 A.D. in the midst of warfare and drought, were advanced timekeepers and astrologers. But that didn’t necessarily make them clairvoyant, according to Mayan researchers.

Still, that hasn’t stopped New Agers and partiers to party as if it is the end of the world.

Cruise ships are descending upon the Yucatan peninsula for a wild end-of-the-world party.

The website Doomsday Party 2012 is urging people not to worry. Even if the world ends, why not spend the last hours celebrating?


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