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Remember the hysteria around December 21, 2012? The world was going to end, and many believed it. This belief was based on a misinterpretation of the Mayan calendar, which some believed indicated an impending global catastrophe on said date. However, December 21, 2012 arrived and nothing happened. The world kept turning and life went on as usual.
Predictions about the end of the world have been made for centuries, from floods to fires and comets. But none came true.
Here is a list of some of the top failed doomsday predictions:
Mayan apocalypse
On December 21, 2012, the Mayan Long Count calendar completed its first cycle. Despite the constant timekeeping on the calendar, many misinterpreted this event as a harbinger of doom. Imaginative predictions emerged, including a collision with a fictional planet, solar flares and a realignment of the axes. Some even built arks and sold survival kits. But the predicted apocalypse never came.
Harold Camping
Harold Camping has made a dozen apocalyptic predictions based on his biblical numerological interpretations. In 1992, he wrote “1994?”, where he predicted the end of the world around that year. His most important prediction was May 21, 2011, calculated as 7,000 years after the Biblical Flood. When nothing happened, he recalculated the day of judgment and moved it to October 21, 2011, when again nothing happened.
True way
Hon-Ming Chen, leader of the True Way movement, predicted that God would appear on TV in 1988, followed by his physical manifestation. In 1989 he predicted massive floods, demonic spirits and even human extinction, and said his followers could escape by buying places on “cloud” spaceships. His bizarre prophecies ultimately proved false.
Halley’s Comet
In 1910, when Halley’s Comet approached Earth, fear of destruction and poisonous gases spread throughout the world. Media headlines such as ‘Comet could kill all life on Earth, says scientist’ fueled the panic. Some believed that the comet’s tail would wipe out all of humanity. A group in Oklahoma attempted to sacrifice a virgin to appease the comet, while others stockpiled bottled air. Ultimately, Earth passed over the comet’s tail with no visible consequences.
Millerism
William Miller’s apocalyptic preaching attracted many followers who believed that Jesus would come a second time in 1843. When the prediction failed, William Miller recalculated and set a new date for 1844. His devoted followers waited anxiously, but were met with a crushing disappointment.
Joanna Southcott
Joanna Southcott began hearing voices predicting future events such as crop failures and famines at the age of 42. In 1813, she announced that she would give birth to the second Messiah at the age of 65, despite still being a virgin. Her followers eagerly awaited the arrival, but Joanna Southcott died before the prophesied birth could take place.
Prophet Hen
In 1806, a chicken in Leeds, England, appeared to lay eggs with the words “Christ is coming” on them. People flocked to see the chicken, fearing the Day of Judgment. But it was a trick: the owner had written on the eggs in ink and put them back in the chicken’s body.
Great Fire of London
In 1666, many Europeans feared the end of the world, linking the year to the “number of the Beast” (666). The Great Fire of London, which destroyed much of the city, seemed to confirm these fears. The fire destroyed 87 churches and 13,000 homes, but surprisingly only 10 people were killed.
Global flood
In 1524, German mathematician and astrologer Johannes Stoffler predicted a global flood on February 25, saying the planets were under Pisces. But despite light rain, the flood never came.
Montanism
In the 2nd century, Montanus’ visions led to a Christian split. He predicted that Jesus would return and convinced many to leave their homes and wait for Jesus in Phrygia (modern-day Turkey). They expected the heavenly Jerusalem to descend, but the deity failed to materialize. The movement caused disruption, leaving many Christian communities virtually deserted.
