http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/667839.html
It's Friday the 13th ...
STEVE LYTTLE
slyttle@charlotteobserver.com
So, is this really a good day to graduate from high school?
After all, it is Friday the 13th.
Today marks the only occurrence of a Friday the 13th in 2008. The day usually associated with bad luck is recognized in dozens of countries around the world, but it is a fairly recent development, beginning in the latter half of the 18th Century.
According to numerous sources, it is not clear how the belief began.
The number "12" generally is considered as a positive. It is associated with the 12 months of the year, the number of Jesus' apostles, and the number of tribes of Israel. In contrast, "13" is considered an incomplete number.
And Friday is the day that Jesus was crucified.
The Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute, based in Asheville, says 17 to 21 million people are affected by the fear of this day. In addition, the institute says, the U.S. Navy will not launch new ships on Friday the 13th.
That might date back to 1796, when the British navy launched the HMS Friday on a Friday the 13th. The ship was lost on its maiden voyage and never heard from again.
Incidentally, there's a scientific term for fear of Friday the 13th -- paraskavedekatriaphobia.
And there will be three of them next year -- in February, March and November.
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