Paraskavedekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th, apparently. Here are 13 things that might make you rue the day.
1. Ben Franklin Writes Nothing Is Certain 'Except Death And Taxes'
In a letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy on Friday, November 13, 1789, American founding father wrote: "Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." More than 200 years has passed and that depressing conventional wisdom holds. Although one might now hazard adding "cats on the Internet" to that list.
2. Doomsday Comin'
NASA predicts that the so-called "doomsday" asteroid, Apophis, will come incredibly close to earth on Friday, April 13, 2029. But don't worry. It won't actually hit earth... or will it?
3. No Way, Jose! Olsen Twins Born On Friday The 13th
Yes, way: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were born on Friday, June 13, 1986. Whether that's to the benefit of good or evil is up to you.
4. A Supposedly Fun Thing That 3,229 People Won't Ever Do Again
The cruise ship Costa Concordia struck a rock off Isola del Giglio, tearing a 174-foot gash in the hull and partially inundating the ship. At least 32 people died in the accident. The wreck of the ship remained stuck near the island as of August 2013.
5. Rapper Tupac Shakur Dies
Rapper Tupac Shakur died of internal bleeding on Friday, September 13, 1996 after suffering a gunshot wound several nights before. Seventeen years after his death, Shakur is still credited as a major influence for current hip-hop music, and is regularly immortalized in lyrics and tribute songs.
6. Black Sabbath Releases Debut Album
Don't believe the gif: Ozzy Osbourne has been Prince of Darkness since Friday, February 13, 1970, when Black Sabbath released its self-titled debut album. Rock was forever changed for the blacker.
7. Tennessee Law Banning Evolution Passes
On Friday, March 13, 1925, the Tennessee Senate passed the Butler Act, a law "prohibiting the teaching of the Evolution Theory in all the Universities, and all other public schools." It was enacted March 21 of that year, but we'll allow it here just to show how far Tennessee has come. Oh wait...
8. Rugby Team's Plane Crashes In Mountains. Cannibalism Ensues.
After a plane carrying the Uruguayan rugby team crashed in the Andes Mountains on Friday, October 13, 1972, the survivors were faced with an unappetizing situation: starve to death or resort to cannibalism. The result was a harrowing tale of human survival that was turned into a mediocre movie.
9. The French Go All 'Game Of Thrones' On Knights Templar
On Friday, October 13, 1307, the French rounded up thousands of Knights Templar and subsequently tortured them as heretics. Although this date is commonly associated with the origins Friday the 13th, that belief is a modern invention.
10. First Nudist Colony Founded -- In England
Nothing beckons nudity like the wonderful weather and pasty white anatomies of England, where the first nudist colony opened on Friday, June 13, 1930.
11. Top Chef Julia Child Dies
After a long and distinguished career teaching Americans how to cook like French, chef Julia Child died at the ripe old age of 91 on Friday, April 13, 2004. But before she ever learned to cook, Child had another career in the Office of Strategic Services, a World War II-era spy agency for the United States. Wonder where she got those knife skills?
12. Accordion Patented In The U.S.
Although it had existed in Europe since the early 19th century, the accordion wasn't patented in the United States until Friday, January 13, 1894. You can still check out Philadelphian Anthony Foss' patent for "Construction of Accordion" at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website.
13. Friday The 13th Part III Released
Yep. Saved this one for last. This was the first iteration of the classic slasher movie to feature Jason Voorhees' signature hockey mask. It was also the first in the series to be released on Friday the 13th. It came out on Friday, August 13, 1982.
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