This post was originally published in October 2017 and was last updated in October 2023. All October posts are part of the Countdown to Halloween!
Happy Friday the 13th!
I've always loved superstitions, so rather than being scared of them I've been curious. I guess my inner Lydia Deetz came out, and I want to embrace the strange and unusual things in life!
To celebrate Friday the 13th, I've rounded up a few fun facts for you to enjoy.
Looking for ways to celebrate? I've got a blog post for that too!
13 Facts About Friday the 13th:
The fear of Friday the 13th is known as paraskevidekatriaphobia and the fear of the number 13 is triskaidekaphobia. (But don’t ask if I can pronounce either.)
The Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina estimates that 17 – 21 million Americans suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia. (Wow!)
There is no definitive origin of the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th. Fear of the day could have originated from: a book of the same name, published in 1907; the arrest of hundreds of Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307; or possibly the last supper at which 13 individuals were present.
What is known is that Friday and 13 being an unlucky combination was not documented until the 19th century.
Tuesday the 13th is unlucky in Hispanic and Greek cultures, and Friday the 17th is unlucky in Italy.
From 1900 – 2099, Friday the 13th occurred 688 times.
Every calendar year has one Friday the 13th, but it can occur up to three times in one year. (Most recently it happened in 2015).
For a Friday the 13th to occur, the month must begin on a Sunday.
Alfred Hitchcock's 100th birthday would have occurred on Friday, Aug. 13, 1999. (He passed away at age 80 in 1980.)
In Finland, Friday the 13th is a national accident awareness day, dedicated to educating people on how to prevent accidents at home, work, and in the community.
80% of high-rise buildings in the U.S. don't have a 13th floor.
In French Lick Springs, Indiana it is the law that all black cats must wear a bell on their collar on Friday the 13th.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Didi Conn, Darius Rucker, Kate Walsh, and Kat Dennings were all born on a Friday the 13th.
So all of that begs the question...
What's your favorite superstition?
I'd love to hear yours! Share it in the comments.
I have several, but one of mine is turning my drink label out when my football team kicks field goals. (Thanks, Bud Light.)
And if you don't think it works, my kicker missed two easy field goals last weekend.
I didn't have my drink label turned out for either one.
🙃
