History of Friday the 13th in Timeline

Friday the 13th is a day considered unlucky in Western superstition. It occurs when the 13th day of a month falls on a Friday. This happens at least once a year and can occur up to three times. Common years starting on Thursday (e.g., 2009, 2015, 2026) and leap years starting on Sunday (e.g., 2012, 2040) each have three Friday the 13ths. Some years have two Friday the 13ths (e.g., 2001, 2023), while others have only one (e.g., 2021, 2025).

March 1900: Start of a 28-year cycle

From March 1900, the sequence of Friday the 13th follows a 28-year cycle.

1907: Publication of "Friday, the Thirteenth"

In 1907, T. W. Lawson's novel "Friday, the Thirteenth" was published, potentially contributing to the popularization of the superstition. The novel features a Wall Street panic created by an unscrupulous broker on Friday the 13th.

1984: Three Friday the 13ths

In 1984, there were three Friday the 13ths in January, April, and July.

1993: Study on accident admission rates

In 1993, a study by Scanlon, Luben, Scanlon, & Singleton suggested a potential increase in hospital admissions due to transport accidents on Friday the 13th. However, the authors noted the numbers were too small for meaningful analysis, and subsequent studies have disproved any correlation.

1995: National Accident Day

Since 1995, Finland has observed National Accident Day (kansallinen tapaturmapäivä) on Friday the 13th to raise awareness about automotive safety. The event is coordinated by the Finnish Red Cross.

1999: Longest period without Friday the 13th

From August 1999 to October 2000, there was a 14-month period without a Friday the 13th.

2000: Longest period without Friday the 13th

From August 1999 to October 2000, there was a 14-month period without a Friday the 13th.

2000: Release of "Shriek if You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth"

In 2000, the parody film "Shriek if You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth" was released in Italy under the title "Shriek – Hai impegni per venerdì 17?" ("Shriek – Do You Have Something to Do on Friday the 17th?").

2001: Longest period without Friday the 13th

From July 2001 to September 2002, there was a 14-month period without a Friday the 13th.

2001: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2001, there were two Friday the 13ths.

2001: Friday the 13ths in the 2000s

In the 2000s, 2001 had two Friday the 13ths.

2002: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2002, there were two Friday the 13ths.

2002: Friday the 13ths in the 2000s

In the 2000s, 2002 had two Friday the 13ths.

2003: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2003, there was only one Friday the 13th.

2004: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2004, there were two Friday the 13ths.

2005: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2005, there was only one Friday the 13th.

2006: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2006, there were two Friday the 13ths.

2006: Friday the 13ths in the 2000s

In the 2000s, 2006 had two Friday the 13ths.

2007: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2007, there were two Friday the 13ths.

2007: Friday the 13ths in the 2000s

In the 2000s, 2007 had two Friday the 13ths.

June 2008: Dutch Insurance Statistics Report

In June 2008, the Dutch Centre for Insurance Statistics reported that fewer accidents and reports of fire and theft occur on Friday the 13th in the Netherlands, suggesting people are more careful on that day.

2008: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2008, there was only one Friday the 13th.

2009: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2009, a common year starting on Thursday, there were three Friday the 13ths in February, March, and November.

2009: Shortest period with Friday the 13th

In 2009, the shortest period with a Friday the 13th occurred from February to March.

2009: Three Friday the 13ths

In 2009, there were three Friday the 13ths in February, March, and November.

2009: Friday the 13ths in the 2000s

In the 2000s, 2009 had three Friday the 13ths.

2010: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2010, there was only one Friday the 13th.

2011: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2011, there was only one Friday the 13th.

2012: Longest period without Friday the 13th

From July 2012 to September 2013, there was a 14-month period without a Friday the 13th.

2012: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2012, a leap year that begins on Sunday, there were three Friday the 13ths in January, April, and July.

2012: Three Friday the 13ths

In 2012, there were three Friday the 13ths in January, April, and July.

2012: Friday the 13ths in the 2010s

In the 2010s, 2012 had three Friday the 13ths.

2013: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2013, there were two Friday the 13ths.

2013: Friday the 13ths in the 2010s

In the 2010s, 2013 had two Friday the 13ths.

2014: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2014, there was only one Friday the 13th.

2015: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2015, a common year starting on Thursday, there were three Friday the 13ths in February, March, and November.

2015: Shortest period with Friday the 13th

In 2015, the shortest period with a Friday the 13th occurred from February to March.

2015: Three Friday the 13ths

In 2015, there were three Friday the 13ths in February, March, and November.

2015: Friday the 13ths in the 2010s

In the 2010s, 2015 had three Friday the 13ths.

2016: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2016, there was only one Friday the 13th.

2017: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2017, there were two Friday the 13ths.

2017: Friday the 13ths in the 2010s

In the 2010s, 2017 had two Friday the 13ths.

2018: Longest period without Friday the 13th

From July 2018 to September 2019, there was a 14-month period without a Friday the 13th.

2018: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2018, there were two Friday the 13ths.

2018: Friday the 13ths in the 2010s

In the 2010s, 2018 had two Friday the 13ths.

2019: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2019, there were two Friday the 13ths.

2019: Friday the 13ths in the 2010s

In the 2010s, 2019 had two Friday the 13ths.

2020: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2020, there were two Friday the 13ths.

2020: Friday the 13ths in the 2020s

In the 2020s, 2020 had two Friday the 13ths.

2021: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2021, there was only one Friday the 13th.

2022: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2022, there was only one Friday the 13th.

2023: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2023, there were two Friday the 13ths.

2023: Friday the 13ths in the 2020s

In the 2020s, 2023 had two Friday the 13ths.

2024: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2024, there were two Friday the 13ths.

2024: Friday the 13ths in the 2020s

In the 2020s, 2024 had two Friday the 13ths.

2025: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2025, there will be only one Friday the 13th.

2026: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2026, a common year starting on Thursday, there will be three Friday the 13ths in February, March, and November.

2026: Shortest period with Friday the 13th

In 2026, the shortest period with a Friday the 13th will occur from February to March.

2026: Three Friday the 13ths

In 2026, there will be three Friday the 13ths in February, March, and November.

2026: Friday the 13ths in the 2020s

In the 2020s, 2026 will have three Friday the 13ths.

2027: Longest period without Friday the 13th

From August 2027 to October 2028, there will be a 14-month period without a Friday the 13th.

2027: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2027, there will be only one Friday the 13th.

2028: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2028, there will be only one Friday the 13th.

2029: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2029, there will be two Friday the 13ths.

2029: Friday the 13ths in the 2020s

In the 2020s, 2029 will have two Friday the 13ths.

2040: Friday the 13th occurrence

In 2040, a leap year that begins on Sunday, there will be three Friday the 13ths in January, April, and July.

2040: Three Friday the 13ths

In 2040, there will be three Friday the 13ths in January, April, and July.

2099: End of a 28-year cycle

The sequence of Friday the 13th follows a 28-year cycle ending on February 28, 2099.

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