Friday The 13th has arrived again. To some it’s just another day but to others it can be a full 24 hours of anguish! If you are one of the 7-9 people out of 100 in the world who are suffering from the fear of this creepy day, you probably fall victim to Paraskevidekatriaphobia. All of the superstitions we have developed today started centuries ago and have carried on through out the years. Even though you may look over your shoulder a few extra times today there are a few fun facts that may keep your mind occupied..
- There were 13 people including Jesus at the Last Supper. The 13th person to arrive was Judas. Judas was the Apostle that went on to betray Jesus, and although it is subject to interpretation; many Christians believe that Jesus was Crucified on a Friday.
- As many as 21 million Americans will change their behavior on Friday the 13th resulting in millions of lost dollars to the economy, time lost at work, etc.
- Popular rapper Tupac Shakur was killed in Las Vegas on Friday the 13th.
- Fidel Castro was born on Friday, August 13th, 1926.
- Many hospitals have no room 13, while some tall buildings skip the 13th floor and some airline terminals omit Gate 13.
- President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal.
- Friday the 13th is set to creep up two more times this year — in April and in July. The most times that the 13th will fall on a Friday in any given calendar is three, while the longest period without it is 14 months.
- Hollywood has capitalized on the Friday the 13th phobia. “Friday the 13th” the movie was released in 1980 and a remake was shown in theaters in 2009.
- On April 13, 2029, a Friday, the asteroid 99942 will make its closest encounter with earth.
- Italians omit the number 13 from their national lottery.
- Tarot Card number 13 is the Death Card, depicting the Grim Reaper.
- Traditionally in hangings, there are 13 knots in the noose and 13 steps leading up to the moment of death.
- Mark Twain once was the 13th guest at a dinner party. A friend warned him not to go. “It was bad luck,” Twain later told the friend. “They only had food for 12.”
- Butch Cassidy, notorious American train and bank robber, was born on Friday, April 13, 1866.
- The seals on the back of a dollar bill include 13 steps on the pyramid, 13 stars above the eagle’s head, 13 war arrows in the eagle’s claw and 13 leaves on the olive branch.
Thanks for sharing this!!
Hi! Stopping by from MBC. Great blog!
Have a nice day!
Thanks for the fun facts. I actually forgot it was Friday the Thirteenth until I saw your post!
I'm sure for all the bad people born on the 13th of a month, there are plenty more good people born on that day. Satan doesn't have control over the number 13. He wants us to think that and to be fearful. The Bible states that perfect love casts out fear. One would have thought faith was the answer to fear, but it's love. It's interesting to think about it, because you can ask yourself throughout the day if you are living out of fear or out of love.
Have a great day!
Tina