The superstitious believe Friday the 13th is a day of bad luck. Here are a few facts on Friday the 13th:
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Any month’s 13th day will fall on a Friday if the month starts on Sunday.
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The fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia
(Frigga being the name of the Norse goddess for whom “Friday” is named
and triskaidekaphobia meaning fear of the number thirteen).
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According to folklorists, there is no written evidence for a
“Friday the 13th” superstition before the 19th century. The first
reference occurs in Henry Sutherland Edwards’ 1869 biography of
Gioachino Rossini.
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Many theories suggest the number 13 is unlucky because it
doesn’t show up regularly in history. For example there are 12 apostles
of Jesus, 12 hours on a clock and 12 Gods of Olympus.
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Friday is regarded as a grim day in “The Canterbury Tales.”
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Jesus was crucified on a Friday.
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Many stock market crashes have occurred on Fridays since the 1800s.
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Friday the 13th became better known after the release of a 1907
novel by Thomas W. Lawson. “Friday the Thirteenth” tells the story of a
broker who creates a financial panic on the infamous day.
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Around 20 million Americans are affected by a fear of Friday
the 13th, according to Stress Management and Phobia Institute. Many say
they abandon their daily routine.
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In Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday the 13th (or martes trece) is considered a day of bad luck.
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Rapper Tupac Shakur was pronounced dead on Friday, September 13, 1996.
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Four of the “Friday the 13th” films were released on Friday the 13th
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A near-Earth asteroid, 99943 Apophis, will make its close encounter on Friday, April 13th, 2029.
