Friday the 13th in the United States

Historical Background: Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. Its origins are unclear, but it may be linked to the story of Jesus' last supper and crucifixion, where there were 13 individuals present on the night before His death on Good Friday. Additionally, the number 13 has a long history of being considered unlucky, and Friday has been historically seen as an inauspicious day for certain tasks.

Traditions and Beliefs:

• Superstition: Many Americans treat Friday the 13th as a day filled with superstitions, avoiding actions such as beginning new projects or businesses, traveling, or even getting out of bed.
• Horror Movie Marathons: The "Friday the 13th" movie franchise has contributed to popular culture celebrations with people often watching these slasher films on this day.
• Theme Parties: Some people throw themed parties that play into the spooky nature of the day.

Common Activities:

• People may avoid making significant decisions or large purchases.
• In some cases, buildings skip numbering the 13th floor due to superstition surrounding this number.
• Tattoo parlors sometimes offer special deals for tattoos of the number 13.

Despite its reputation for bad luck, not everyone takes Friday the 13th seriously. Some people simply acknowledge it with humor or ignore it altogether. However, for those who are superstitious, it remains a day shrouded in caution and folklore.