There’s lots behind the number 12

'Tis the day of the twelves.

Dec. 12, 2012.

Twelve marks the number of ounces in a can of soda, objects in a dozen and inches in a foot. It also is the largest number in the English language with just one syllable.

December is the 12th month of the year. Christmas is the final national holiday of 2012, with the 12 days of Christmas leading up to it.

And Las Vegas is the place to be on 12/12/12. Craps uses two dice, totaling a maximum of 12. Single-deck card games contain 12 face cards. Roulette offers 12 betting options outside the standard 36 numbers and zeros on the wheel.

Today is the last repetitive date for this century. It marks a finality. The end.

"I won't live to see the next date like this," said Robert McDaniel of Henderson. "I'm always looking for a reason to have a good time, and the date is a good enough excuse. I want to do something special with my family today."

But say you drink a little too much while celebrating the occasion. There's a 12-step program to help you kick any addiction, compulsion or behavioral issue.

Maybe you find yourself in court. A bench of 12 jurors might make the final decision on your freedom.

Perhaps things get too out of control. You might arrive at the 12 gates of heaven with 12 large pearls guarded by 12 angels.

Don't be alarmed if you receive the 12th card during a tarot reading. The "hanged-man" card looks like bad news, but it represents overcoming a struggle.

"The card's general meaning is a sign of accomplishment," said Johnny Warren of Psychic Eye Book Store. "It means accomplishing a struggle once you put your mind to it."

A full-time college student must carry at least 12 credits per semester. In the middle of finals week, today marks the last test for many college courses.

"I didn't even realize it was 12/12/12 until I was taking my first test," said Stephanie Marshall, a student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "I hope since it's the last consistent date, it will bring me good luck with my last exam of the semester."

Today might be the perfect date to tie the knot, finalize your vows and mark the end of your single years. The Chapel of the Flowers is collaborating with KOMP-FM, 92.3, radio station to have 12 weddings at 12 p.m. The radio station selected the couples in November through nominations.

"We've had double or triple weddings before, but nothing of this caliber, so it's exciting," said Aimee Stephens of the Chapel of the Flowers. "It will be a heartfelt and emotional experience shared with the group."

In anticipation of a large number of marriage license applications today, the Clark County recorder's office is opening the Laughlin office.

Last year, 3,300 licenses were issued in Clark County for 11/11/11. The most issued for a repetitive-date wedding was for 7/7/07 - a lucky number for gamblers, and hopefully for those 4,333 couples. On average, the county issues about 7,400 marriage licenses per month.

Next year, we will have to turn our attention to a consecutive date: 11/12/13, because today is the last repetitive date this century. Besides, even if there were a 13/13/13, it wouldn't matter come 12/21/12.

Contact reporter Caitlyn Belcher at cbelcher@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0264.