The End of The Word

By Billy Kattler

Explosions, fire balls, twelve headed beasts or just another routine day.

December 21, 2012 marks the date the Mayan calendar cycle comes to an end and possibly the end of days.

Since the turn of the century alone, the end of the world has been predicted by almost 30 people on over 15 dates. Emily Riehl a student at Trumbull high school commented on this fact saying “If there have been predictions like this one and I’m still here, then why should I believe this.” This questions the credibility of the event occurring in 2012, but somehow December 21, 2012 holds more validity than other dates due to its long history.

The Mayan calendar is a great part of history. This is considered as one of the first date trackers and was as important to the Mesoamerican culture as our calendar is to our society. The long count calendar’s great cycle will end in December and this can be blamed the Spanish. At the point of history in which Spain took control of Mexico the Mayan calendar records ended and no later date then December 21, 2012 was made. Along with the ancient calendar’s great cycle coming to an end the 2012 winter solstice will occur in the sky. This will be the first time in 25,800 years that this event happens. In a winter solstice the sun will align with the center of the Milky Way galaxy starting another 25,800 year cycle.

A poll taken in Trumbull High School asked if people believed the world would end on December 21. The results weren’t surprising. Fifteen of 15 upperclassman believed there was no way the world would end on the 21st. Josh Boxer a senior at Trumbull High said “I just can’t believe the world would end in my lifetime.” When asking underclassmen the results greatly differed. When polled 6 of 10 underclassmen believed the world would end.

Having two historical cycles ending on the same date has people thinking all cycles will end. These two extraordinary events can make you notice the extraordinary events that happen every day. If it’s the lively green leaves growing on lifeless trees or beautiful blue skies on a brightly lit day, this year, or the last year on earth, will prove to be a great one.