1. Exploring its origin
Many cultures trace the myth of Friday the 13th to the Knights Templar’s arrest in 1307, while others attribute it to ancient Norse mythology, where chaos ensued after 13 gods were invited to a banquet. Some even believe its roots harken back to Jesus’ crucifixion – which was on a Friday, after 13 guests attended the Last Supper. Either way, there’s been a wildly-held belief carried down through the ages that the day brings a heightened likelihood for bad things.
2. Give it a name
Friggatriskaidekaphobia or parashekvidariaphobia may never be played on a Scrabble board and is a bit much for most to even pronounce, but those are the official names for the fear of Friday the 13th. And it affects millions, from one degree or another.
3. Deep impact
Friday the 13th influence on behaviour is very real, especially on the consumer front. The Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute estimates in 2013 that between $800 and $900 million was lost in overall business, with airlines among those most heavily hit.
4. Blame Sunday
Any given month must start on a Sunday in order to include a Friday the 13th. Just check your calendar to confirm.
5. A not-so-frequent occurrence
2024 has included two Friday the 13ths (September and today). Three is the most any given year can have, while the longest possible stretch between Friday the 13ths is 14 months.
6. Frightfully fitting
The master of horror and suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, was born on Friday, Aug. 13, 1899. Coincidentally, he made his directorial debut in 1922 with a movie called Number 13, which hit a financial roadblock and never got off the ground.
7. Friday the 13th birthday fame
Other well-known personalities born on this day include former Cuban President Fidel Castro, novelist and playwright Samuel Beckett and the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.
8. A day of disaster
Whether you put stock in it or consider it a mere coincidence, some of history’s most awful moments have occurred on Friday the 13th. Among them are the 2012 Costa Concordia sinking off the coast of Italy, the mini stock market crash in 1989, the Buckingham Palace bombing during World War II and the 1972 Andes flight disaster. Friday, Mar. 13, 2020 could be viewed as the first official day of COVID-19 in the U.S. – that’s when president Donald Trump declared the pandemic a national emergency.
9. Not unlucky for all
Friday the 13th is not a day of doom and gloom for all. In Italy, for instance, Friday the 17th is seen as the day that brings misfortune, while the number 13 is actually considered lucky.
10. Cinematic inspiration
Horror fans know all too well that Friday the 13th is one of the most iconic movie franchises of all time. Who doesn’t remember its mask-wearing, machete-wielding central character without getting the chills?
11. Research debunks superstition
Many studies have revealed Friday the 13th has had little or no effect on major events such as accidents, hospital visits and natural disasters.
12. Observed nationally
Since 1995, Finland has dedicated one Friday the 13th each year to observe National Accident Day – with the aim to raise awareness about road, home and workplace safety.
13. Out-of-this-world connection
When asteroid 99942 Apohis was discovered in 2004, it was believed to have a small chance of colliding with Earth on Apr. 13, 2029. Fortunately, further findings show there’s no risk of that happening.
Information compiled from Google and Time and Date.
