Why Is the Number 13 Unlucky?

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Why Is the Number 13 Unlucky?

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The Thirteen Club sat down to challenge a superstition in 1882. Everyday Origins follows that documented dinner, then sorts the stories often offered to explain why thirteen is called unlucky. The Last Supper, Norse legend and Friday the thirteenth are part of the folklore; none establishes one certain starting point. Sources checked 30 September 2026: https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2024/12/on-the-possible-origins-of-friday-the-thirteenth-metafolklore-fear-and-fun/ ; https://southstreetseaportmuseum.org/spooktacular-discoveries/ ; https://festival.si.edu/blog/2014/friday-13-4-and-green-hats-superstition-across-cultures .

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