Friday 13th Myth Busted

A new study published in the journal Chance has found no scientific basis for the superstition that bad events are more likely to occur on Friday the 13th. Researchers Jeffrey Rosenthal and Jennifer Dmetrichuk explored the notion, as well as the effect of full moons, and found no evidence to support the idea.

Jeffrey Rosenthal, a professor of probability and statistical computing at the University of Toronto, has a personal connection to the study, having been born on Friday, October 13th. Rosenthal and Dmetrichuk, an assistant professor in the department of laboratory medicine and pathobiology, examined the origins of the Friday the 13th superstition, which are unclear but may be linked to historical events such as the arrest of many members of the Knights Templar by King Philip IV of France on Friday, October 13, 1307.

The number 13 is also considered the first 'unfamiliar' number, which may contribute to its perceived unluckiness. Additionally, there were 13 people at the Last Supper, and one of them, Judas, betrayed Jesus. Despite these historical events, the researchers found no scientific basis for the superstition.

## Why it matters The study's findings are significant because they highlight the importance of scientific literacy and critical thinking. By examining the evidence and data, Rosenthal and Dmetrichuk aim to convince people that superstitions should not be taken as fact. The study also underscores the need to understand how the world works and to separate fact from fiction.

The researchers' work serves as a reminder that superstitions, such as those surrounding Friday the 13th and full moons, are not supported by scientific evidence. By promoting scientific literacy, we can work to dispel these myths and focus on the facts.