The number 12 holds great meaning in several cultures. To the Greeks, this mighty number represents the 12 Olympians of the Pantheon. In Jewish and Christian religions, the number 12 appears several times throughout the Bible: the 12 sons of Jacob, the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles of Jesus. There are 12 months of the year, 12 signs of the zodiac and 12 animals that make up the Chinese calendar. We even buy eggs by the dozen.

However, for Mary Margaret Beers, this number signifies a day of cake, presents and celebration, as she turns 12 on Dec. 12, 2012, a once-a-century date.

Beers, who is in the sixth grade at Morgan Academy, said she’s been looking forward to this special birthday for quite some time.

“I’m most looking forward to getting my ears pierced,” said Beers, who will celebrate the big day at her favorite Selma restaurant, El Ranchero’s.

Beers said she knows a few other people with the same birthday, but none turning 12.

“I’ve been really looking forward to this,” she said. “I celebrated my birthday in August too because I wanted to have a swimming party and you can’t have that in December.”

As a family tradition, mother Tiffany Nettles said each child gets a special birthday breakfast. Although Beers hasn’t decided what she wants for her special breakfast yet, she said she’s leaning towards pancakes.

Across the nation, many citizens are also celebrating this special day, as it’s the last repeating number date of the century.

Casinos are predicting high amounts of gamblers testing their luck. Wedding chapels are expecting an increased amount of nuptials, as many want their anniversary to be an even 12-12-12.

Several music legends including Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones are converging in New York’s Madison Square Garden for a dubbed “super 12-12-12” concert, benefiting victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Since so many people are celebrating this rare date, Beers said she feels pretty special to have her twelfth birthday on Dec. 12, 2012.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.