Did you ever wonder why the number 12 crops up so much? Consider:

• 12 signs of the Zodiac
• 12 months in a year
• 12 hours on the sundial ... and later, the clock
• 12 hours of light, 12 hours of dark on the equinox
• 12 is a "dozen" - a quantity so imporant it has its own name
• 12 apostles
• 12 cylinders in the most "elegant" engine, the V-12
• 12 x 12 is a "gross," another quantity with its own name
• 12 gods in Greek, Norse, Roman or almost any other mythology
• 12 members of a jury
• 12 years of school
• 12 was the last year of childhood in many ancient societies
• 12 aircraft carriers in a "full" U.S. fleet
• 12 ounces in the standard beverage can