Today is December 12, 2012, but don't panic. The world won't end. It's 12-12-12, not 12-21-12, which is the infamous date on which the Mayan calendar supposedly ends.

Since civilization will survive for at least nine more days, it's a good time to reflect on the number 12.

• There are 12 months in a year
• There are 12 ounces in a troy pound
• 12 people have walked on the moon
• 12 is the atomic number of magnesium
• There are 12 inches in a foot
• There are 12 signs in the western zodiac
• A perfect game of bowling requires 12 strikes
• There are 12 pairs of ribs in the human body
• The human body also has 12 cranial nerves
• Jesus had 12 apostles
• The 12 days of Christmas begin on Dec. 25
• There are 12 notes in an octave

The last time it was 12-12-12, in 1912, William Howard Taft was president, the Boston Red Sox were World Series champions, California's population was under 4 million, and Palm Springs was establishing itself as a fashionable resort town.

Will humans be around in 2112 when the calendar once again hits 12-12-12? Most likely. By then, the next Mayan era will have been under way for almost a century.