Friday the 13th – Fun Facts

It looks like we have yet another Friday the 13^th. If you’re superstitious, you’re likely under the impression that this is the most unlucky day on the calendar. It’s not certain where the superstition comes from, but it might go back to Biblical times. Since the ancient time, both the number 13 and Friday have had foreboding reputations for misfortune and bad luck.

We decided to scour the internet to find some fun and interesting facts about Friday the 13^th – to help keep your mind off all bad things that could happen today. And just as luck has it – we came up with a list of 13!

1. First, it’s not that rare. It happens at least once a year and as many as three times a year. In 2015 we will see three – February, March and November.
2. The 1980 film “Friday the 13^th” grossed nearly $40 million during its initial cinema run.
3. Friggatriskaidekaphobia is when someone is afraid of Friday the 13th. Nearly 20 million Americans are affected by friggatriskaidekaphobia. It’s also called paraskavedekatriaphobia. Being afraid of the number 13 is called triskaidekaphobia.
4. According to information from Time magazine, the mini crash of Friday, October 13, 1989 was the second largest drop of the Dow history.
5. Many hospitals don’t have a room number with 13 in it as well as a 13^th floor. The same thing goes for tall building. Normally the 13^th floor is skipped. Some airlines omit Gate 13. 
6. People in Spanish-speaking nations fear Tuesday the 13^th. Italians consider the number 13 to be lucky. 
7. NASA was almost tragically unlucky with its Apollo 13 mission. The capsule was launched at 13:13 on April 11, 1970.The explosion that ultimately destroyed the craft took place on April 13, which was a Monday.
8. The ancient Chinese regarded the number 13 as lucky. The ancient Egyptians also thought 13 brought good luck.
9. Looking to get inked? Tattoo parlors around the country offer specials for those who choose to commemorate the day permanently, traditionally offering tats of the number 13 for only $13.
10. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt apparently suffered from triskaidekaphobia. According to reports, he refused to travel on the 13^th day of any month and would not host a dinner party with 13 guests.
11. The risk of being in a car crash on any Friday is higher than other days of the week. Police attribute this fact to alcohol consumption.
12. Some people believe the fear of Friday the 13^th goes back to the Garden of Eden. Supposedly, Eve offered Adam the forbidden fruit on a Friday, and they were then ejected from Paradise.
13. According to superstition, there are a number of things you can do to ward off ill fate. Studies suggest knocking on wood, crossing your fingers, avoiding black cats, not looking at the full moon through a pane of glass, and throwing salt over each shoulder.