An irrational number of people are feeling afraid today, for no clear reason. As far back as 1881, an organization called The Thirteen Club formed just to show the world the number 13 is nothing to be superstitious about. The 13 members spent Friday the 13th walking under ladders and spilling salt, but to no avail. Many of us will still jump a little higher tonight when the walls creak in the middle of the night. 

3 Fun Facts about Friday the 13th

Friday the 13ths Happen Because of Sundays

Any month that has a Friday the 13th, started on a Sunday. You can’t have a Friday the 13th, without a Sunday the 1st. So the Holy day is the harbinger of the spooky day.

Fear of Friday the 13th is the Craziest Word in the English Language

The legit medical term for having a phobia of Friday the 13th is friggatriskaidekaphobia. As in, “Buddy’s such a friggen friggatriskaidekaphobic!” Breaking it down, “Frigga” was the Norse god whom Friday was named after, and “triskaidekaphobia” is the fear of the number 13.

The Fear of 13 is So Pervasive It’s All Around Us, and Always Has Been

Think about it: There are 12 months in a year, 12 hours in a clock cycle. As ancient religions were founded, they avoided 13 too — the same way hotels do (you’ll note most buildings skip a 13th floor) — there are 12 gods of Olympus, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 Apostles of Jesus, 12 Descendants of Muhammad Imams.

… Finland Has the Best Sense of Humour about Friday the 13th

Finland observes a “National Accident Awareness Day” once a year. And Always on a Friday the 13th. The day is devoted to awareness about driving and workplace safety.