The 'Dawn of the Final Day' meme originates from the 2000 Nintendo 64 game The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, where players have only 72 hours to save the world from a falling moon. This specific screen appears at the start of the final 24-hour cycle, accompanied by an ominous chime, signaling that time is nearly up. Online, it is used to humorously represent the high-stress period right before a major deadline, such as university exams, project submissions, or holiday countdowns. Its popularity stems from the shared feeling of existential dread mixed with the urgency of a looming event, making it a staple for anyone facing a time crunch.