Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Official website of the State –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Yes, yes, a global technological collapse did not occur, an asteroid did not arrive, the Sun did not go out, and this is a reason to throw a party and celebrate another New Year in the second millennium, because we are still alive!
Expectation
It may sound strange today, but in 1999, there were numerous theories about chaos, the end of the world, and so on, beginning in 2000. After all, not every generation celebrates a new millennium, and the unknown is always frightening and gives rise to the most incredible assumptions.
Technological collapse
The primary concern was a widespread technology failure due to the "Y2K problem": older computer systems were programmed to use two digits for the year (for example, "99"), and when switching to "00" (2000), the programs could confuse 1900 with 2000, causing a system crash. Ultimately, the disaster was averted thanks to the massive efforts of programmers.
Space threat
The year 1999 also brought with it unusual stellar phenomena, which some particularly impressionable observers saw as dire omens: a total solar eclipse, a "star shower," the passage of the asteroid Parke, and two comets, Arend and Lee. And in 2000, a minor planetary parade was also expected, which also wasn't expected to be good.
There were people who met the year 2000 in specially built bunkers, with food and household goods stocked for several years and fully prepared for the apocalypse.
Reality
Ultimately, nothing serious happened: there were no widespread technical glitches, public transportation continued to operate normally, and internet connections and apps remained stable. Yes, there were a few hiccups—for example, in some stores, cash registers scanned receipts showing the year 1900—but these were more of a pleasant souvenir.
Interestingly, due to the lack of the expected failure, some of the people responsible for solving the 2000s problem were punished or criticized for causing panic.
"Those tasked with fixing the millennium bug would have been damned if serious problems had arisen, and are damned now because problems have not arisen," the BBC noted on January 4.
Let us value and cherish what we have today and look to the future without fear and with hope for the best. Peace, health, and happiness to all.
Happy New Year!
Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: December 31, 2025.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.