ABC: GENERAL HOSPITAL Marks 12,000 on February 23

On Tuesday, February 23, the multi-award winning daytime drama GENERAL HOSPITAL will celebrate a milestone of 12,000 episodes. Reaching the same achievement would entail a traditional 22-episode series to be on air for 545 1/2 years.

Over the course of its long run, GENERAL HOSPITAL has been known and praised for its cutting-edge and pro-social storylines to elevate public awareness of important issues such as breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, sexual assault and heart disease; memorable characters and high-profile stars, including Elizabeth Taylor, Demi Moore, Ricky Martin, Rick Springfield, Vanessa Marcil, John Stamos and the recent multi-episode story arc featuring James Franco; and being a leader using state-of-the art technology, including CGI green-screen to enhance the viewing process and going high-definition in 2009. In addition, the wedding of original supercouple Luke and Laura garnered a still-record 30 million viewers who tuned in to one of pop culture's most memorable moments in television history.

"In any climate, it is amazing that we have the opportunity to celebrate such a momentous occasion," says Executive Producer Jill Farren Phelps. "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's storyline, which falls in the middle of February sweeps, will not disappoint viewers, as many of the series' top characters are front and center, and as the fallout continues from mobster Sonny Corinthos' learning that undercover cop Dante is his son, Elizabeth figures out who the father of her unborn child is and as Dante and Lulu's relationship comes to a crossroads.

Named to Time's Top 100 Television Shows of All Time, GENERAL HOSPITAL - celebrating 47 years on April 1 - continues its tradition of passion, intrigue and adventure that takes place in the fictional town of Port Charles in upstate New York. Winner of a record-setting 10 Emmys for Outstanding Daytime Drama, the program is the longest-running dramatic serial on ABC and rates as one of the top-rated Daytime programs in the key demographic of Women 18-49.