Updated February 9:

SOAPnet is reporting that GH will finally change its opening credits just in time to debut on the show’s 12,000th episode on February 23.

Originally posted February 8:

February 23 will mark the 12,000th episode of General Hospital.

To put it into perspective, a traditional 22-episode series would have to be on air for 545 ½ years to reach that milestone. General Hospital is only on it’s way to 47 years, which it will reach on April 1.

On reaching 12,000 episodes, Executive Producer Jill Farren Phelps stated, “In any climate, it is amazing that we have the opportunity to celebrate such a momentous occasion. This milestone honors the strength of the daytime drama and looks to the future that ‘General Hospital’ will continue to air many, many more episodes.”

The week the ABC soap reaches that impressive number, February sweeps will be in full swing and will feature more of the Dante/Sonny drama, a pregnant Elizabeth learning who the daddy is, and Dante and Lulu’s relationship coming to a crossroads.

Soaps.com congratulates General Hospital on being on the air for so long and looks forward to many more episodes to come. If you can’t wait to find out what’s ahead for Port Charles, please visit our GH Spoilers.