The end of the world popular probably as long as humanity exists.
Global catastrophe expected by the first Christians in 33 ad, immediately after the crucifixion of Christ, but as nothing happened, the date was moved to 666-the year, symbolizing the terrible number of the beast. Next world kapets appointed 1000-year – anniversary was obliged (remember 2000, some of us are also waiting for), then there was 1033-the year 1666, and, between these dates is also expected tips after them even more.