13 scary things that happened on Friday the 13th that still shock the world today

The first of the three Fridays slated to be the 13th of a month in 2026 is here—- with March and November next in line. The importance? The combination of Friday and 13 is considered a bad omen. The genesis of this rumour is still unknown, but it’s a common thread across multiple religions— with their own stories of bad omen.

The number 13 is in general considered an unlucky number, with ancient law codes and buildings also skipping number 13 in their listings. People’s magazine even stated that the floor 13th is also avoided in multiple buildings. Over time, Friday the 13th has become a big cultural idea, mixing history, myths, and modern traditions.

The long held beliefs make some people quiver—-also leading to many marking it by indulging in horror flicks. or even getting themed tattoos. Because of all these beliefs and traditions, Friday the 13th is now seen as a famous and unusual day across the world. Many strange or notable events in history are often linked to this date, which keeps the mystery and fascination alive.

Oct. 13, 1307 — Mass Arrest of Knights Templars

King Philip IV of France suddenly ordered the arrest of more than 600 Knights Templars. They were handed over to the Inquisition and brutally tortured. Many were forced to confess to fake crimes like heresy and blasphemy. France also seized all their money and property. Many Templars were later burned alive, as stated by People.

Aug. 13, 1521 — Fall of the Aztec Empire

Spanish forces captured Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City. Around 250,000 people died during the conquest. Over 40,000 indigenous Aztec civilians were killed. Many modern historians call it a genocide.

Nov. 13, 1829 — Daredevil Sam Patch Dies

Sam Patch became famous for jumping from huge heights. After a successful Niagara Falls jump, he tried again at Genesee Falls. He raised the height to 125 feet on Friday the 13th, as cited by People. The second jump failed, and he died.

Jan. 13, 1939 — Australia’s “Black Friday” Fires

Massive bushfires spread across Victoria state. Extreme heat, wind, and drought worsened the situation. Nearly 75% of the state was affected. The disaster pushed stronger fire safety awareness.

Sept. 13, 1940 — Buckingham Palace Bombed

During World War II, German forces bombed Buckingham Palace. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were inside. Bombs exploded just yards away from them. The King later described the terrifying moment.

June 13, 1952 — Swedish Spy Plane Disappears

A Swedish Air Force DC-3 vanished over the Baltic Sea. It had 13 crew members on board, as noted by People. Later, another rescue plane was shot down too. It was later confirmed both were attacked.

March 13, 1964 — Kitty Genovese Murder

Kitty Genovese was attacked outside her home in New York. She was raped and murdered at age 28. Reports said 35 people witnessed something but didn’t call police. This led to research on the “bystander effect.”

Oct. 13, 1972 — Andes Plane Crash Horror

Uruguayan Flight 571 crashed in the Andes mountains. 33 people initially survived out of 45 onboard. Rescue took 72 days to arrive. Some survivors ate human remains to stay alive. Only 16 survived in the end.

Oct. 13, 1989 — Mini Stock Market Crash

U.S. markets suddenly plunged after hitting highs earlier that week. The crash followed a failed bailout involving American Airlines’ parent company. It later contributed to early-1990s recession fears.

Sept. 13, 1996 — Tupac Shakur Dies

Rap icon Tupac Shakur was shot in Las Vegas. He was hit four times while sitting in a car. He died six days later at age 25.

Aug. 13, 2010 — Lightning Strikes Teen at 13:13

A 13-year-old boy was hit by lightning at exactly 13:13, as per People. This happened at an airshow in England. He survived with only a small burn.

Jan. 13, 2012 — Costa Concordia Disaster

The cruise ship Costa Concordia hit rocks near Italy. Chaos broke out as passengers rushed to escape. Lifeboats and rescue teams worked overnight. 32 people died in the accident.

March 13, 2020 — U.S. Declares COVID Emergency

President Donald Trump declared a national emergency. The decision came due to rising COVID-19 fears. It marked the start of major lockdown changes in the U.S.

FAQs

Q1. Why is Friday the 13th considered unlucky?

Friday the 13th is seen as unlucky because many scary, tragic, and strange events in history happened on this date.

Q2. What is the most famous Friday the 13th disaster?

One of the most famous is the 1972 Andes plane crash where survivors struggled for 72 days before rescue.