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Leonids were once thought to herald end of the world

This year’s Leonid storm is expected to produce a shooting star every minute or two. Interesting, sure, but imagine what people must’ve thought in 1833, back before they even knew why the Leonids were happening.

For several hours over the United States that year thousands and thousands of meteors at a time rained down. That’s more shooting stars in few minutes than you’ll probably see in your whole life. The display was so bright it woke people up!

And, as you might guess, here’s what some of them thought: The world was going to end.

[Leonids Full Coverage]

And then, knowledge took over …