Friday the 13th has always had the distinction of being the epitome of unlucky. That legendary status is known to everyone. There is actually a name for people who fear the day - friggatriskaidekaphobes. Friday April 13th is one week away, so while the superstitious people are polishing their lucky penny collection and combing their rabbits foot I will entertain the rest of us with these strange but true occurrences that happened on this darkest of days.
HAVE HAPPENED
1. FRIDAY OCTOBER 13, 1307 - In an event that may be the start of the Friday the 13th stigma thousands of Knights Templar were arrested, tortured, and forced to confess themselves as heretics by the French monarchy.
2. FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 1829 - Thousands of people gathered in Rochester, NY to watch Sam Patch jump from the top of the Genesee Falls into the river below. A few week before he had jumped from Niagara Falls and survived. He wasn't as fortunate this time. Was it the day or just abject stupidity?
3. FRIDAY OCTOBER 13, 1972 - A plane carrying 45 people crashed into the Andes mountains. Twelve people died in the crash and several others were killed by the elements. The survivors resorted to cannibalism to survive. 16 people were rescued on December 23, 1972; more than two months after the crash.
4. This particular day (October 13, 1972) seemed to be extremely unlucky for air travel. On this same day one of the worst aviation disasters ever occurred when a passenger jet in Moscow crashed on approach killing all 174 aboard.
5. FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2010 - A 13 year old boy in Suffolk, England was struck by lightning at 1:13 P.M. (13:13 military time). The boy survived the incident! His new nickname should be 'Unlucky Lucky'?
6. FRIDAY OCTOBER 13, 2006 - A freak snowstorm struck Buffalo, NY and buried the city under two foot of snow. Nearly half a million people lost power. Western NY is used to heavy snowfall but it is very rare for it to happen so early in the season.
7. FRIDAY JULY 13, 1979 - Bob Renphrey refuses to leave his bed on this day because of the bad luck he had suffered in the past on this day. A few examples: he walked through a plate glass door, he was fired from his job, he put his wife in the hospital when he hit her with a stick he threw for his dog, and he watched his wife fall down a flight of stairs. Maybe it's not the day Bob, maybe it's you!
8. FRIDAY OCTOBER 13, 1989 - The stock market plummeted 6.91 percent on this day. At the time it was the second worst day in the market's history and it was the beginning of the recession of the early 1990's. ......and now in cryptocurrency news....
9. FRIDAY JULY 13, 1951 - The great flood of 1951 occurred in Kansas with record setting rainfalls causing rivers to pour over their banks. The cities of Topeka, Lawrence, and Manhattan were consumed by the floods. The damage exceeded $900 million dollars (over $8 billion, adjusted). Rain rain go away........
10. FRIDAY JANUARY 13, 2012 - The cruise ship Costa Concordia struck a rock and ran aground on the Italian coast. The rescue of passengers from the listing ship took over 6 hours and 32 lives were lost.
11. FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 1996 - Tupac Shakur died as a result of wounds incurred in a drive by shooting. He was only 25 years old.
WILL HAPPEN
12. FRIDAY APRIL 13, 2029 - It is forecast that Asteroid 99942 Apophis will pass within 18,000 of the earth. That is closer to the earth than any satellites we have in orbit.
DO HAPPEN
13. EVERY FRIDAY THE 13th - The world's economy loses approximately $900 million dollars because people are afraid to work or travel on this day! Can you really call in a scary day?!
10. FRIDAY JANUARY 13, 2012 - The cruise ship Costa Concordia struck a rock and ran aground on the Italian coast. The rescue of passengers from the listing ship took over 6 hours and 32 lives were lost.
11. FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 1996 - Tupac Shakur died as a result of wounds incurred in a drive by shooting. He was only 25 years old.
WILL HAPPEN
12. FRIDAY APRIL 13, 2029 - It is forecast that Asteroid 99942 Apophis will pass within 18,000 of the earth. That is closer to the earth than any satellites we have in orbit.
DO HAPPEN
13. EVERY FRIDAY THE 13th - The world's economy loses approximately $900 million dollars because people are afraid to work or travel on this day! Can you really call in a scary day?!