Discover the Top 13 Mind-Blowing Fun Facts About 2012 You Never Knew!

1. Not the End of the World

In a plot twist that even M. Night Shyamalan would be proud of, those ancient Mayan calendar makers sent the modern world into a frenzy with their sly foreshadowing of the year 2012: Alas, this apocalyptic myth was all just a big misunderstanding! The Mayan Long Count calendar simply marked the end of a 5,126-year cycle on December 21, 2012, and the beginning of a new era – not the end of the world. Party on, Earth-dwellers!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Movie "2012" Success

In a twist worthy of M. Night Shyamalan, the world didn't end in 2012 despite a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster prophesying otherwise: Ironically, the film "2012" raked in a whopping $791 million worldwide, making it the fifth highest-grossing movie of 2009 – proof that audiences love a good disaster flick, especially when it stars John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Woody Harrelson under the direction of Roland Emmerich.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know that in 2015, NASA discovered a mysterious region on Pluto's largest moon, Charon, and named it Mordor? Unravel this cosmic Tolkien tale and more fascinating facts!

=> Fun Facts about The-Year-2015

3. Apocalypse Unity

In 2012, ancient Mayans, modern stargazers, and conspiracy theorists formed an unlikely alliance, proving that nothing unites humanity like an impending apocalypse: On December 21, 2012, the internet foretold a bizarre blend of Mesoamerican archaeology, New Age theories, and extraterrestrial enthusiasm would culminate in some earth-shattering event, captivating the imaginations of UFO fans, crop circle enthusiasts, and followers of UFO-ologist Terence McKenna.
Source => cnbc.com

4. Hunger Games Triumph

In the battle royale of 2012's cinematic showdowns, one underdog emerged as the odds-defying victor, proving the sweet taste of rebellion goes quite well with a side of buttery popcorn: The Hunger Games, a Gary Ross-directed film, became the ninth-highest-grossing movie that year, raking in over $694 million. Based on Suzanne Collins' gripping novel, it starred Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth, and won critical acclaim for being faithful to the book – and for Lawrence's applause-worthy portrayal of Katniss Everdeen, the iconic bow-wielding teen who slays both in fashion and in the dystopian arena.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Manning's Super Bowl Victory

In an MVP-worthy performance that could be dubbed "Eli Strikes Back" or "The Manningham Menace," the force was strong with New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning in the 2012 Super Bowl: He outmaneuvered the New England Patriots by throwing a galaxy-class 38-yard pass to Mario Manningham in the 4th quarter, leading the Giants to interstellar victory and securing his second MVP title in just four years—one of only five players to achieve such celestial glory.
Source => bleacherreport.com

6. Bond and the Queen

In a royal twist of spy games and Olympic rings, James Bond went from battling villains like Goldfinger to escorting a living legend, the ultimate Bond girl: Her Majesty the Queen herself! The 2012 London Olympics had an opening ceremony for the books, as Daniel Craig donned his tux as 007 and whisked Queen Elizabeth II away from Buckingham Palace to the Olympic stadium in a seemingly death-defying fashion, thanks to a little movie magic and clever video editing.
Source => olympics.com

7. Gangnam Style Takeover

In a world where horses dance and tuxedos are casual attire, one man and his tune took the internet by storm and trotted past the Biebs like it was nobody's business: In 2012, Psy's "Gangnam Style" broke YouTube records by becoming the most-watched video, reaching a staggering one billion views just 27 days after surpassing Justin Bieber's "Baby". The sensation topped the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 for five weeks, was generously streamed across platforms, and led to TV appearances and even an NFL halftime show for the South Korean superstar.
Source => billboard.com

8. Silent Films at the Oscars

While the Oscars went mute for Michel Hazanavicius, silent films had already won the prestigious award before his arrival on the scene: "The Artist," a French black-and-white silent comedy-drama from 2011, swept the 2012 Oscars, securing five awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, but contrary to popular belief, it was not the first silent film to snag Best Picture since 1927's "Wings" – there were others in between. Nonetheless, it was the first French-produced film to win Best Picture and the first black-and-white movie to nab the top spot since "Schindler's List" in 1993.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. iPhone 5 Launch

Step aside, smartphone giants, and prepare for the iPhone's time to shine thinner than a couture model daintily sipping an iced chai: In 2012, Apple released the iPhone 5, featuring a four-inch screen, swifter wireless Internet speeds, and measurements that were 18 percent thinner and 20 percent lighter than its predecessor, making it a hit during the holiday season and contributing to almost half of Apple's summer revenue.
Source => nytimes.com

10. Nibiru Debunked

In a cosmic game of hide-and-seek that left astronomers bewildered and conspiracy theorists delightfully terrified, the fictional rogue planet Nibiru gave Earth's doomsday preppers a run for their money: In actuality, there was no evidence to prove the existence of this havoc-wreaking Planet X, nor were any planetary alignments or solar super-storms on the menu for December 21, 2012 – so despite the hysteria, the world remained intact and spinning on its axis.
Source => space.com

11. Twinkie Comeback

Twinkie lovers were almost left with a hole in their hearts and a rumble in their bellies as the iconic snack faced extinction like a cream-filled dinosaur: But fear not, as just in the nick of time (2013, to be precise), Hostess Brands leaped back from the brink of bankruptcy, thanks to a golden life-raft provided by its $410 million acquisition by C. Dean Metropoulos and Apollo Group, and now gleefully bakes away with a hearty lineup of 90 scrumptious snacks that'll keep your sweet tooth satisfied.
Source => cbsnews.com

12. Curiosity Rover's Discoveries

In the swirling sands of time, a brave little rover with a curious nature strode forth to uncover the Martian chronicles of yore and answer the age-old question plaguing mankind: What's up with Mars? Viola: In 2012, NASA's Curiosity Mars rover not only landed on the Red Planet but successfully discovered an ancient riverbed, signs of a once-habitable lakebed, clay minerals, and measured natural radiation levels. Gather 'round and revel in the knowledge that, once upon a time, ancient water did flow on Mars, and our celestial neighbor lost much of its early atmosphere!
Source => lpi.usra.edu

13. Leap Year Traditions

Feeling lucky, punk? Well, in 2012, Scottish babies born on February 29th might beg to differ, and Irish ladies were making the moves: 2012 was a leap year, adding an extra day to the calendar with February 29th, a day deemed unlucky for births in Scotland, but also a day when Irish tradition encourages women to take charge and propose to their beaus, a delightful custom rooted in legends involving St. Patrick and St. Bridget.
Source => projectbritain.com