Why do we dread Friday the 13th? A day of historical and mythical misfortune

As the calendar flips onto Friday the 13^th, a recollection of historical misfortune and ages old superstition blend a mysterious and unlucky concoction.

This day occurs when the 13^th day of the month in the Gregorian calendar falls on Friday.

Although many may label the fear associated with the day as hysteria, historical events argue otherwise. The most important event in Christian history, i.e., the crucifixion of Jesus Christ occurred on Friday the 13^th. This was preceded by the Last Supper wherein, Judas, the 13^th guest betrayed Jesus.

While mythological events are one part of it, the number 13 seems to have a more residual effect on people’s mindset.

This can be proven by some notorious events within history itself.

One of these events was the launch of the Apollo 13 on April 11, 1970 at 13:13:00 Central Time Zone. What would’ve been a third moon landing resulted in an oxygen tank explosion on April 13.

Two days, into the mission. While the spaceflight safely returned, it left a bitter taste associated with the number 13.

The ordeal suffered by the Apollo 13 mission was influential enough to cause changes within the US shuttle program mission naming. STS-13 which was the thirteenth space shuttle flight was renamed as STS-41-G with many associating the renaming with Apollo 13’s disaster.

The effect of the number 13 has also caused many hotel elevators in the US and China (among others) to negate the number from their elevators altogether.

With the day occurring only once this calendar year, the dawn of its nature has prompted many social media reactions on X with many users sharing posts to commemorate the day.