• Gabe Semenza •
• Originally published September 8, 2009 at 4:57 p.m., updated September 8, 2009 at 11:55 p.m.

Today is the ninth day of the ninth month of 2009 - or 9-9-9. Only once a century does this number appear on a calendar. Some fun, interesting facts and ideas about today, and about the number 999:

1) Digitally re-mastered versions of the Beatles' studio albums release today after a 22-year wait. Included in this: "Number nine. Number nine. Number nine," the refrain from "Revolution 9" from "The White Album."

2) Because 999 is an upside-down 666, some feel the number contains satanic roots. Not so, says the Rev. Stan DeBoe, a Victoria priest. "It doesn't mean anything to me, other than I'm going to enjoy writing that date out," he said, laughing.

3) In math, nine is the last number in Base 10 and the last single digit. In numerology, nine means "finality or completion." Similarly, a human baby requires nine months to fully develop in the womb.

4) Also in numerology, 999 reflects the point of transformation - an inverted 666 - and the moment in which a crisis shifts in the direction of an opportunity. In Taoism, this is known as 'wei-chi', a Chinese character which means both "crisis" and "opportunity."

The Rev. Caesar 999 wrote an updated version of the Satanic Bible.

On Sept. 9, 1909, the 1,600-foot-long Santa Monica Pier opened to the public in California.

7) In religion, the hierarchy of angels contains nine choruses. The Buddhists see the sky divided into nine celestial levels. In Islam, the universe is composed of nine spheres.

Some who lived during 999 A.D. feared the world would end at the turn of the year. The novel "A.D. 999" weaves a tale of horror based on this fear.

9) Hollywood this year jumped on No. 9 like never before. So far, "District 9" was a success. "$9.99" hit select theaters this summer. Producer Tim Burton's "9" opens today. Finally, "Nine," a musical drama, releases in November.

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