If you didn’t already realize, today is Friday the 13^th, a day which is commonly known to be “unlucky”.  But why are people so afraid of this day, which can occur up to three times a year?  In fact, businesses report that approximately $800-$900 million in national revenue is lost each Friday the 13^th because people will not shop, travel, dine out, or go to work.  Here are some more fun facts about this day of triskaidekaphobic (the fear of the #13) superstition:

• Many hospitals and hotels don’t have a room or floor #13
• More than 80% of high rises don’t have a floor #13
• Many airports skip the 13^th gate and airplanes the 13^th aisle
• Apollo 13 launched at 13:13 CST and the oxygen tank exploded on April 13, 1970
• In the Christian Bible, there were 13 people present at the Last Supper, the 13^th guest being the one who betrayed Jesus Christ, who died on Friday the 13^th
• The US Navy will not launch a ship on any Friday the 13^th