I thought it was more like 10,000 years ago.
Ol' Bishop Ussher and his "calculation" can be seen in all its nonsensical glory at:
http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/ussher.htm
I am no scientist. I am a Christian. I acknowledge that evolutionary theory may have some merit. I have my questions about evolution, but given my lack of scientific background, I am probably not competent to even formulate those questions properly for those who would give them serious consideration.
I also recognize that what I believe, I believe by faith, not fact. That's what makes it faith. My religious belief is not science, not likely provable by science, but perhaps disprovable by science (but my faith says that it won't be disproven-- that's why I believe what I believe).
I believe in the Bible as the inspired word of God, but I cannot say that every word was intended to be interpreted literally. I believe there is room for symbolism in much of scripture.
I believe God is all powerful, and created the universe for His own reasons, most of which are beyond my (and because I am a fairly intelligent guy, relative to others) and most others' understanding. I believe God is all knowing and all good and loving, although I confess I cannot understand everything about Him.
If God is all powerful, and if among God's purposes was for us to discover and love Him by faith, rather than by His demand or by making Himself obvious to us, then He may have made the world just as it is-- ambiguous and problematic as to its origins, purposes and destiny.
God may have (but need not have, and in fact may not have) created the world in 6 days, or less if He were so inclined. I believe that however God created the world, the day after He finished, it looked older than it was-- perhaps millions or billions of years older, by human reckoning. Alternatively, He may have started the universe by a Big Bang and "cultivated" it to its current state, but my faith suggests not.
I acknowledge the shortcomings that many may see if my belief system, but I suggest that every belief system, even those purportedly based in science, contain shortcomings large enough to allow a total destruction of their validity.
Where does this statement of belief get me (us)? Perhaps nowhere, but hopefully a little further toward a mutual tolerance of others' beliefs (and by tolerance I mean true tolerance, not like that of the left, but an attitude that allows others to have their beliefs without ridicule, while not requiring anyone to adhere one's own beliefs).
Have a great week...