Friday the 13th, Part 2

In honor of Friday the 13th tomorrow, one of 3 such dates in 2009, I've done a teeny bit of research on the number 13. And here are 13 things that I've learned:

1. Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.

2. The number 13 suffers from its position after 12, according to numerologists who consider the latter to be a complete number - 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 apostles of Jesus, 12 days of Christmas and 12 eggs in a dozen.

3. Many hospitals have no room 13, while some tall buildings skip the 13th floor and some airline terminals omit Gate 13.

4. Superstitious diners in Paris can hire a quatorzieme, or professional 14th guest.

5. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal.

6. Quarterback Dan Marino wore No. 13 throughout his career with the Miami Dolphins. Despite being a great quarterback, he never won a Super Bowl.

7. In Formula 1 racing and Nascar, there is no car with the number 13.

8. On the back of the dollar there are 13 steps on the pyramid, 13 stars above the eagle's head, 13 war arrows in the eagle's claw, and 13 leaves on the olive branch.

9. Many airplanes do not have a 13th row.

10. Hangmen were once paid thirteen pence halfpenny.

11. The British Navy built a ship named Friday the 13th. On its maiden voyage, the vessel left on Friday the 13th, and was never heard from again.

12. Legend has it, if 13 people sit down to dinner together, one will die within the year.

13. The Apollo 13 spacecraft malfunctioned after being launched on April 11th at 13:13 CST, forcing it to return to Earth without a landing on the moon and imperiling its crew.