Happy Friday the 13th to everyone celebrating! And if you're suffering from paraskevidekatriaphobia, you have our sincerest apologies. That's the fear of Friday the 13th. And honestly, we're a little afraid of trying to pronounce it!

Whether you're avoiding ladders, steering clear of black cats, or refusing to leave the house until tomorrow, we've got some fun facts about this supposedly unlucky day. So grab your lucky horseshoe, Mid-Michigan, and let's get spooky!

1. Millions of People Are Actually Afraid of Today!

This isn't just something people blame when they spill their coffee or get stuck behind a tractor on M-46. An estimated 17 million people have a fear of Friday the 13th!

The superstition can even hurt businesses, especially airlines, as some people avoid flying altogether on this date.

Imagine being afraid to get on a plane because of the calendar. Meanwhile, some of us are just hoping our flight doesn't get delayed because somebody brought a carry-on the size of a Buick.

2. 2026 Has Been a Triple Threat!

Every year has at least one Friday the 13th, but some years get as many as three.

And guess what? Today marks the THIRD Friday the 13th of 2026!

Here's a little calendar trivia: Whenever a non-leap year starts on a Thursday, February, March, and November will all have a Friday the 13th.

That's three opportunities to blame your bad luck on something other than your own decisions!

3. Black Cats Have a Dress Code in Indiana!

In French Lick Springs, Indiana, there's a law requiring black cats to wear bells around their collars on Friday the 13th.

Apparently, even the cats aren't allowed to sneak up on anybody today!

Can you imagine trying to enforce that around Michigan? We'd probably need an entire department dedicated to keeping track of black cats in Genesee County.

4. Finland Takes Friday the 13th Safety Seriously!

Finland has designated one Friday the 13th each year as National Accident Day. The goal is to raise awareness about safety and preventing accidents.

Which is a pretty good idea, actually. Watch where you're going, pay attention behind the wheel, and maybe don't go wandering around an abandoned summer camp.

Especially if you hear somebody playing creepy music in the woods. That's usually your cue to leave!

5. There's a Reason You Can't Find the 13th Floor!

The fear of the number 13 itself is called triskaidekaphobia.

It's so common that an estimated 80 to 85 percent of high-rise buildings in the United States reportedly skip labeling a floor as the 13th floor.

So you might step into an elevator, hit 14, and wonder where 13 went.

Don't worry. It didn't disappear. It's just hanging out somewhere between the 12th and 14th floors, probably having a pretty rough day.

6. Some Pretty Famous People Were Born on Friday the 13th!

Apparently, Friday the 13th isn't unlucky for everybody.

Alfred Hitchcock, the legendary filmmaker behind some of Hollywood's creepiest movies, was born on Friday the 13th.

And so were Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen!

That's quite a combination. One gave us nightmares, and the other two gave us childhood television memories.

SO, HOW'S YOUR FRIDAY THE 13TH GOING?

Have you had any bad luck today? Spilled your coffee? Gotten stuck in traffic on I-75? Hit every red light between Flint and Saginaw?

Or maybe you're one of those people who doesn't believe in any of this stuff.

Either way, be careful out there, watch for black cats, and whatever you do, don't go looking for a hockey mask-wearing stranger in the woods.

Happy Friday the 13th, Mid-Michigan! Here's hoping your day is lucky, your coffee is hot, and your car starts on the first try!