Did you know there are only two instances of Friday the 13th this year, and one of them is in April? Can't you just hear the Jason music now? Ch-ch-ch-ch, ha-ha-ha-ha. Ok, now I'm freaking myself out. Here are some other things about Friday the 13th you didn't know.
1. For a month to have a Friday the 13th, the month has to begin on a Sunday. This year, that means only April and July. (See for yourself)! 2. Celebrities born on Friday the 13th include Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. (Red rum. Twins are weird. I should know, I gave birth to some). 3. Tupac Shakur died on Friday, September 13, 1996. (Pour one out for your homey this April 13). 4. MY UNCLE was in Friday the 13th Part 2! His name was Tom McBride, and he was the guy in the wheelchair who took an axe to the face, then rolled down a flight of stairs in his wheelchair! (If I had to take an axe in the face, I guess I'd rather Jason do it than anyone else). [caption id="attachment_7919" align="aligncenter" width="482"]
My uncle, Tommy, just before being axed by Jason![/caption]
5. The phobia associated with fear of Friday the 13th is called "paraskavedekatriaphobia." (I'm more afraid of that word than I am of Friday the 13th).
6. Some Christians believe Friday the 13th is unlucky because Friday was the day Jesus was crucified, and 13 represents the number of guests at the Last Supper, counting Judas. (I'd say being nailed to a cross is pretty unlucky. Now I'm going to hell).
7. On Thursday, October 12, 1939, the town board of French Lick, Indiana, decreed that beginning at midnight and continuing for the next 24 hours, all the black cats in town had to wear bells, so residents could avoid them on Friday the 13th. The town marshal was assigned the task of belling the cats. (I hope that guy got a raise).
8. In an effort to educate people on the dangers of superstition, the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan held the First American Exhibition on Superstition, Prejudice, and Fear for 13 days, beginning August 13, 1948. To enter, visitors had to pass underneath one of three giant ladders; a raft of open umbrellas was suspended from the ceiling; there were displays of spilled salt and broken mirrors; and silhouettes of black cats were taped to the walls. (It would've been more impactful if REAL black cats had been taped to the walls).
9. The Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel offers zombie, vampire, and "Rocky Horror" ceremonies on Friday the 13th. (I could totally get behind this theme if Rick from The Walking Dead would agree to marry me there. If not, then no).
So there you have it -- nine fun facts about Friday the 13th! It probably would've been luckier to end this list on number seven, but maybe not. Seven didn't work out too well for Brad Pitt and his wife in the movie, Se7en. What's in the BOX? What's in the BOXXXXX?!
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Courtesy mentalfloss.com[/caption]
Ever had anything freaky happen to YOU on Friday the 13th? Tell us about it!
This article was originally written for Washington, D.C., Our Community Now by Ashley Allen.
