2012-12-11         2012-12-12

All over the world many people will get married tomorrow since it's the 12th day of the 12th month of the 12th year. Some people are even planning to get married at 12 noon tomorrow! Tomorrow is the last of the special number days of this century, the most conspicuous of which was the 8th day of the 8th month of 2008 when the Beijing Olympics began.

The number 12 has many special uses. People often buy a dozen (12) eggs. We sometimes hear about several dozen people being injured at an accident. A "baker's dozen" is 13, and 12 dozen is called a "gross". There have been two movies called "Cheaper By the Dozen" about a family with 12 children.

A jury of 12 people is used in a court to help a judge work out whether an accused person is guilty or not. In many religions 12 is a special number:  Israel had 12 tribes, Jesus had 12 apostles....and soon we'll have the 12 days of Christmas.

The Chinese zodiac uses a 12-year cycle, as does the western zodiac with its 12 months. Our time is measured by 12 or 24 hours. There are so many 12s in our lives!  I wonder if any babies will be born in Hong Kong  tomorrow.  Possible names for 12-12-12 babies are Eve, Eva or Elvie for a girl, and for a boy - Elvis!