Friday the 13th is considered to be the unluckiest day in the Gregorian calendar. This is the first and last Friday the 13th of 2021. Some years, the day comes more than once.

Since ancient times, both the number 13 and Friday are said to be linked to misfortune and bad luck. The first recorded reference in English writing of Friday the 13th is in Henry Sutherland Edwards' 1869 biography of Gioachino Rossini. In it, Edwards writes: "Rossini was surrounded to the last by admiring and affectionate friends; Why Friday the 13th Is Unlucky."

To mark this unlucky, or maybe lucky, day, here are some interesting fun facts and trivia about Friday the 13th.

  • The fear of Friday the 13th is known as friggatriskaidekaphobia, which is also called paraskavedekatriaphobia.
  • There is at least one Friday the 13th in every year, and at the most, there are three.
  • The number 13 is considered lucky by Italians.
  • It has been a successful day for the movie industry. The "Friday the 13th" horror film franchise kicked off in 1980 and now has up to 12 sequels.
  • On this day, many people love watching horror movies.
  • Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt never hosted 13 guests at a meal. He also never traveled on the 13th, no matter which day of the week it fell on.
  • Many cities do not have a 13th Street or a 13th Avenue.
  • Some hospitals avoid labeling rooms with the number 13 and many airports skip gate 13.

Myths and Superstitions about Friday the 13th:

  • Starting a trip on Friday could make someone encounter misfortune.
  • Ships that set sail on a Friday will have bad luck.
  • Cutting his/her hair on Friday the 13th could cause death in the family.
  • Breaking a mirror on this day could bring seven years of bad luck.
friday the 13th
A “Friday the 13th” movie marathon will be airing on Friday, Oct. 13. Paramount
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