Greetings Paraskavedekatriphobics!!!!

Much is made every year at the arrival of Friday the 13^th. To some it is an ill omen, portending an overall malice and general malaise. Some, like me, rather enjoy the day because it seems to creep so many others out.

What is the significance of Friday the 13^th? Why are so many people high strung about it? Nobody seems to know for certain, but there are a few theories on the matter. (Taken from Wikipedia)

· The Last Supper which is supposed by popular Christian belief to have been on Thursday, with Judas numbered among the thirteen guests (Jesus plus his 12 apostles), and that the Crucifixion of Jesus which is supposed by popular Christian belief to have occurred on a Friday. However, Judas was not actually present for the latter part of the meal.

· Friday 13^th October 1066 was the last day of the reign of the Saxon King Harold II. On this day, William, Duke of Normandy offered Harold the option of ceding the crown; Harold declined the offer. The Battle of Hastings took place the following day (Saturday 14th October 1066). Harold was slain and William took control of England.

· Friday and 13 were both sacred to the Norse goddess Freyja, so Friday 13th was especially sacred. Christians who wished to suppress her worship said the day was unlucky.

Fear of Friday the 13^th itself is a relatively modern phenomenon, seeming to have mainly come about in the 20^th century. In honor of this unique day, not quite a holiday, but certainly a day of note, I present to you some recommended entertainment. This list is specific to films that occur on or around a holiday.

New Year’s – Bloody New Year
Valentine’s Day – My Bloody Valentine
St. Patrick’s Day – Leprechaun
April Fool’s – April Fool’s Day
Easter – The Being
4^th of July – Uncle Sam
Halloween – Halloween
Thanksgiving – Thanksgiving (This is a GRAPHIC trailer from the film Grindhouse.)
Christmas – Silent Night, Deadly Night / Black Christmas / Don’t Open Til Christmas
Friday the 13^th – Friday the 13^th
Birthdays – Happy Birthday to Me

By the way: A delicious chocolate chip cookie to the first person that can tell me where the music in the Thanksgiving trailer came from. :)

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