Is December 21, 2012 doomsday?

The date -- December 21, 2012 -- is a big one. It's been the subject of books, movies and television programs. There are those who believe the Mayan culture predicted this date could mean the end of the world!

But what do we really know about this prediction?

Some books at the TRUPREP survival store could be found in any library on survival: 31 Days to Survival, Just in Case or The Emergency Dentistry Handbook. They could be handy books to own if something big happens.

"Essentially we carry anything you might need to get through whatever might happen," said TRUPREP manager Don Staples.

If you believe the hype, it could also mean doomsday. 

The Mayan people flourished in Mexico from roughly 300 to 800 AD.  We also know they kept calendars.

"These civilizations depended on the basics, growing food, hunting, and so they looked at the sky to track the seasons," said Jose Santamaria, Director of the Tellus Science Museum.
    
Apparently one calendar ends on December 21, 2012. What does that mean? If you believe Hollywood, it means the end of the world.

Santamaria, who knows a thing or two about cataclysmic events, says the reality is far less exciting.    

"What is December 31st?  It's the end of our calendar.  And what happens the next day?  We start a new calendar," said Santamaria.    

The folks at TRUPREP say they're not too concerned, either.

"Most of the customers that talk about that are joking about it, there's maybe half of one percent that are actually worried about it," said Staples.

If nothing else, the doomsday predictions are a good reason for a sale and a good reminder that basic preparedness is a smart thing on any day of the calendar.