What Was Y2K and Why Did People Think It Would Bring the End of the World?

As the clock struck midnight on Dec. 31, 1999, the world held its collective breath. In the years leading up to the turn of the century, many experts and governments in the U.S. said a computer bug known as "Y2K" might shut down the world's systems, causing a global collapse. “It was scary, but it was also thrilling,” Popular Mechanics’ Alexander George told InsideEdition.com. Some people even took extreme precautions, including building shelters and stockpiling food and water.