2. 1940: Franklin Institute declares end of world

The Franklin Institute wanted to promote its new planetarium show on cosmic apocalypses. So on March 31, 1940, spokesman William Castellini gave this announcement to KYW: "Your worst fears that the world will end are confirmed by astronomers of Franklin Institute, Philadelphia. Scientists predict that the world will end at 3 P.M. Eastern Standard Time tomorrow. This is no April Fool joke. Confirmation can be obtained from Wagner Schlesinger, director of the Fels Planetarium of this city." Unsurprisingly, the city's emergency lines were swamped with calls from concerned Philadelphians after the radio broadcast. Castellini said he thought KYW was in on the stunt, but he was still fired.