While Friday the 13th doesn’t directly affect economy, the “fear of fear” can have adverse effects

By Susie Chen
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On Oct. 19, 1987, the stock market in the United States dropped 22.68 percent in the United States, the largest percent drop in stock market history. This day was termed Black Monday and although there were various explanations for why this drop happened, some stock traders blamed the three Friday’s that fell on the 13th back then.

This year, there are Friday the 13ths in February, March and November. The echoes of another Black Monday could inspire fear in both everyday citizens and stock traders, but AP Economics teacher Dan Bates said that although there is a fear of another Black Monday, it is the fear of the fear that could make it happen again. “There are Friday the 13ths in every year, but because there are three this year, there might be a bigger impact. There’s a lot of fear in the market right now and anything could set it off,” he said.

The drop in 1987 started in Hong Kong and proceeded to spread west, affecting other countries in the world. Because economic troubles are rampant all over the world today, there is the possibility an economic crash this year could originate from another country, although Bates said the United States, more than other country, would be the nation to set off a chain. “It is important to remember how international the market really is,” he said. “What influences one market could influence another.”

As evidenced by Black Monday, there are people in the society who think superstition influences the economy. According to Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute, $700 to 800 billion are lost every year on every Friday the 13th because people will not travel, shop or take any risks. Bates, however, said that he does not think superstition affects the economy at all. “It’s all people reacting to how others react. I’m sure there are people who do think the economy is affected by superstitions, but it’d be a very small segment,” he said.

Although there is speculation an economic crash could possibly occur on a Friday the 13th this year, Bates said, “There are safeguards in place to prevent anything happening like it did in the past.

“If the stock market were to drop that precipitously again, we would stop trading,” he said. “They’d wait for emotions to subside, to calm down.”

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13 Facts About the Number 13

1. Ancient Romans regarded the number 13 as a symbol of death, destruction and misfortune.
2. A witches coven consists of 13 members.
3. Tarot Card number 13 is the Death Card, depicting the Grim Reaper.
4. Hotels, floors of high rise buildings and highways rarely have a 13 number.
5. There are 13 knots in a hangman’s noose.
6. The blade of a guillotine falls 13 feet.
7. The driver of Princess Diana hit pillar #13 at Place de l’Alma when she was killed in Paris, France.
8. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th of any month, nor would he host 13 guests.
9. Fidel Castro was born on Friday, Aug. 13, 1926.
10. Quarterback Dan Marino (No. 13) never won a Super Bowl.
11. The ill-fated Apollo 13 launched at 13:13 CST.
12. Superstitious diners in Paris can hire a quatorzieme, or professional 14th guest.
13. Mark Twain once was the 13th guest at a dinner party. They only had food for 12.

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