13 Friday the 13th Facts
Fear
For some, the ever-looming Friday the 13th itself alone holds great fear.
Scientists have named the fear of the number 13 ‘Triskaidekaphobia’ whilst Dr. Donald Dossey named ‘Paraskevidekatriaphobia’ to be the fear of Friday the 13th.
Not Too Frequent
2015 held a grand total of 3 Fridays the 13ths, with November 13th being it’s final.
We will not see 3 occurring again throughout a whole year, until 2026
Alfred Hitchcock
May often come to mind, when recalling ‘psychological thrillers’. Born on August the 13th in Leytonstone, London. Alfred’s first directing debut film for Gainsborough Pictures, was with ‘Number 13’ in 1922. Unfortunately, only a few scenes were shot before it was pulled from production, due to budget.
Film Series
Grossing $39.7 million, Sean S. Cunnighams 1980’s ‘Slasher horror film’ Friday the 13th set successes of series sequels. The original 1980’s hit was ranked number 1 in 2015 Tech Times, Friday the 13th Movies Best to Worst.
Asteroid 2004 MN4
According to NASA, the 2004 MN4 will pass by earth, rather closely, on Friday the 13th April 2029. A collision with Earth has been ruled out for the 320 metre rock, with the expectation of this size approach, happening only every 1300 years or so.
Virus
On January 13th 1989, hundreds of IBM computers in Great Britain, were hit with a ‘Friday the 13th virus’. A virus of such a large scale was back then a somewhat low threat, but possibly marking the start of forthcoming times.
Female Flight Instructor
On Friday October 13th 1939, Evelyn Pinckert Kilgore, became the first female to receive an instructor’s licence, after a completion of 200 flight hours. Evelyn then went on to train pilots in Pomona and California, during World War II.
Accordion
Love it or hate it, on Friday January 13th 1954 this beloved instrument, was patented. On the treble side, there are 37 keys, including 13 register buttons.
Biblical
It was Jesus’s 13th guest Judas at the last super, whom betrayed him. Only to be followed by his crucifixion on a Friday, although if it was the 13th or not is yet to ever be confirmed.
Spain
Tuesday 13th is just as much feared as our Friday 13th with the cautionary saying, insisting ‘’On Tuesdays, don’t get married, don’t take a trip, and don’t leave your home.” For the Spanish, Tuesday is feared due to its relation to the Roman God of War, Mars.
Rooms
It’s thought that many hospitals avoid labeling or often even completely leave out rooms numbered ‘13’. Airports also get on board, with most missing out gate number ‘13’
Births
Famous people born on Friday the 13th include:
Samuel Beckett (13 April 1906),
Margaret Thatcher (13 October 1923),
Fidel Castro (13 August 1926)
Steve Buscemi (13 December 1957)
Death
Notorious Tupac Shakur died on Friday, September 13, 1996.