FRIDAY 13th IS KNOWN WIDELY AS “BLACK FRIDAY”

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 86, 13 May 1949, Page 5

FRIDAY 13th IS KNOWN WIDELY AS “BLACK FRIDAY”

Today is Friday; May 13. To most people it is unlucky. To men of the sea it is a day not to leave port. Friday at anytime is not welcomed by sailors about to sail. For centuries the day has been feared by people the world over, in both Christian and other communities.

In the Christian world of course, Friday was the day of the Crucifixion and that alone is enough to make 'it black. But when the thirteenth falls on it it would appear to be a “twice-damned” day. Just how the number 13 came to be regarded as unlucky has never been satisfactorily explained. Some favour the theory that the belief has arisen from the fact that 13 sat at the last Supper before the crucifixion; others believe the superstition arose from the fact that in ancient numerology 13 has always been regarded as unlucky. Throughout history there have been many unfortunate happenings on Fridays. During the last century one of the biggest smashes on the American stock exchange occurred on a Friday. Its affect on the life of the average American was tremendous. Families were ruined, suicides were common and even whole towns were made almost bankrupt. At the time trade had been going against the U.S.A., and most of the gold was being drained from the country. The United States Treasury decided to stop it by discontinuing the sale of gold in its possession. However, two English Wall Street speculators cornered all the visible gold and pushed it up to a ridiculously high price. The Government was forced to send gold onto the open market to buy United States shares.

The crash occurred on September 18, 1873, and became known as Black Friday throughout America. There have been other cases, many of them appearing more than just coincidences. But to most people today, Friday the thirteenth reeks vaguely of bad luck. In this country however, any Friday to many people means the last day at work, pay day and tomorrow and Sunday an extra hour or so in bed. Its original significance has waned before the impact of the 40hour week.