INDIANAPOLIS - Today is the day, and with each passing moment, it's looking more and more like the apocalypse is not going to happen, despite overwrought predictions.

Many people bought into the notion that Dec. 21, 2012 would be the date of the apocalypse and would mark the end of the world as we know it.

The Mayan calendar ends today, sparking much of the belief. The calendar had a 5,126-year cycle, and because the ancient civilization had an advanced grasp on astronomy, many put faith in the prediction.

Others had a different view of the date, believing that humankind is entering a new era instead.

Many others believe the whole thing was much ado about nothing and is fueled by Internet conspiracy theorists.

Some have likened the Mayan prediction to the Y2K bug, a prediction that computer systems couldn't handle the switch to 2000 and would fail, causing worldwide destruction.

Dec. 21 is a special day. It's the winter solstice, marking the official start of the winter season. The sun is also aligned with the center of the Milky Way this year for the first time in nearly 26,000 years.