13 Interesting Facts About Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th is not just another day to the approximately 7-9 out of every 100 people around the world that are unfortunate enough to suffer from a condition called paraskevidekatriaphobia: the fear of Friday the 13th. Superstitions of this unlucky day go back to the beginnings of documented time, and even though there is very little evidence to support that there are any genuine threats awaiting us all during this frightful time, there are indeed some interesting facts surrounding the myth.

So I present to you, 13 Interesting Facts about Friday the 13th.

1. 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.

2. Butch Cassidy, the notorious American train and bank robber was born on Friday, April 13th, 1866.

3. Fidel Castro was born on Friday, August 13th, 1926.

4. 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.

5. During the filming of "Friday the 13th," The actress Laurie Bartram, (Brenda in the movie) had a cat that was regrettably killed by roach poison after being left in the attendance of a crew member.

6. Daredevil and stuntman, Sam Patch died on Friday, November 13th, 1829 after attempting a 125-foot jump into the Genesee River.

7. An earthquake occurred in Turkey, killing 2,000 people on Friday, March 13th, 1992.

8. The Knights Templar were a religious military order from Jerusalem in 1118 C.E. They were sworn to protect the Christian Pilgrims during the Crusades, but because of their great power and wealth, King Philip became threatened and had them all arrested, tortured and executed... all on Friday, October the 13th, 1307.

9. According to Legend, the British government sought to disprove the myths surrounding Friday the 13th, so they commissioned a ship called the H.M.S. Friday and embarked it on its first mission; on Friday the 13th.... and it was never seen again.

10. Tupac Shakur was killed in Las Vegas on Friday the 13th.

11. Hubert H. Humphrey, the 38th Vice President of the United States died on Friday, January 13th, 1978.

12. On July 13, 1951, flood-waters crested in parts of Kansas during the "Great Flood" that ravaged more than 2,000,000 acres of land and caused over three-quarters of a billion dollars in damage.

13. On April 13, 2029, astronomers have predicted that an asteroid, (2004 MN4), will come in very close proximity to the earth... possibly close enough to cause a great catastrophe to our planet.

Now if you are wondering what I really believe about this popular urban legend, let me tell you. I believe that it is just a myth. I gave you a list of 13 tragic events surrounding Friday the 13th. I could just as easily produce such a list about any other date. I could also produce a list of all the wonderful things that have happened on this date. I think that what we have here is a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you think bad things will happen, they probably will. If you don't go to work due to the fact that you are worried about something bad happening, and you lose your job, you can't blame it on the date... it is because you didn't go to work. So keep your chin up, try not to stress about it, and the next time a Friday the 13th rolls around; try to have yourself a wonderful, happy and productive day!

Tim Doyon, Founder of FindersCreepers
Paranormal Research and Haunting Investigations
http://www.finderscreepers.org

FindersCreepers is a non-profit group located in Central Oklahoma that is dedicated to Paranormal Research and Haunting Investigations. The founder of the group, Tim Doyon is and experienced Paranormal Investigator and is certified in Parapsychology.

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