Friday the 13th rolls around this week, and we take a quick look at some of the facts and superstitions about the day.

According to USA Today,  there is NOT an appreciable jump in emergency room visits on Friday the 13th. German researchers, a couple of years ago, did a comprehensive study and found that people who believe there is a greater chance of getting hurt, or more emergency medical events on Friday the 13th are succumbing to folklore or legends.

In Christianity, because Jesus was crucified on a Friday, in ancient times, early Christians were not big fans of Friday to begin with. It is not clear when the number 13 became associated with Friday, and the two became a bad "omen."  According to historical and literary experts, there is NO mention of "Friday the 13th" as we view it prior to the 19th Century.

There is an actual medical condition associated with the fear of Friday the 13th.  It's this long word:  paraskevidekatriaphobia...wow!

13 is considered a lucky number by pop superstar Taylor Swift. In 2009, she told MTV News that she was born on Friday the 13th, "my first song released to radio had a 13-second intro, and my first hit went to number #1 in 13 weeks.."

If you go into many older tall buildings, you won't find a 13th floor.  Check out the national historical landmark in Spokane, the Davenport Hotel.  It does NOT have a 13th floor.  Actually, it DOES, but it is not marked.

That began because the Otis Elevator Company, who has built or builds the vast majority of lifts found in American buildings, said they didn't want hotel guests who suffer from 'a fear of the day' to avoid staying in the facility!  That, according to Bloomberg Business News. 

An estimated 85% of American buildings tall enough do not have a floor marked 13. And if you use an Otis Elevator, it will not have a "13" button.

And finally, in NASCAR the #13 is considered superstitious.  No driver who used that number has ever won a major NASCAR Winston or Sprint Cup Race, or a championship.  Casey Mears currently carries that number for the GEICO Race team.  He's a competitive driver, but has not won with that team yet.

 

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