13 Chilling Events That Happened on Friday the 13th

From wildfires in Australia to a worldwide pandemic, these unlucky occurrences have some believing the date is cursed

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Friday the 13th has long been associated with bad luck, and 2026 will see three such dates. This article recounts 13 unusual and often tragic events that have occurred on this supposedly unlucky day, including the arrest of the Knights Templar, the fall of the Aztec Empire, a deadly daredevil stunt, and the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why it matters

Friday the 13th has become a cultural phenomenon, with many people believing the date is cursed or unlucky. This article explores the history behind this superstition and highlights some of the most chilling events that have occurred on this day, providing insight into why the date has gained such a foreboding reputation.

The details

The article covers a range of events that have happened on Friday the 13th, from historical occurrences like the arrest of the Knights Templar by King Philip IV of France in 1307 and the fall of the Aztec Empire to Spain in 1521, to more recent incidents like the 1964 murder of Kitty Genovese in New York City and the 2020 declaration of a national emergency in the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The article also includes stories of unusual accidents and disasters, such as the 1972 plane crash in the Andes that led to reports of cannibalism among the survivors, and the 2010 incident where a 13-year-old boy was struck by lightning at 13:13.

  • Oct. 13, 1307: King Philip IV of France orders the arrest of over 600 Knights Templars
  • Aug. 13, 1521: Spain claims Mexico City and ends the Aztec Empire
  • Nov. 13, 1829: After successfully jumping Niagara Falls, Sam Patch dies jumping Genesee Falls
  • Jan. 13, 1939: Bushfires in Victoria, Australia, impacted nearly 75% of the state
  • Sept. 13, 1940: German troops bomb Buckingham Palace amid World War II

The players

King Philip IV of France

The King of France who ordered the arrest of over 600 Knights Templars on October 13, 1307.

Sam Patch

An early American daredevil famous for stunts related to height, who died jumping Genesee Falls on November 13, 1829.

King George VI

The King of the United Kingdom who, along with Queen Elizabeth, experienced the bombing of Buckingham Palace by German troops on September 13, 1940.

Kitty Genovese

A 28-year-old bartender who was murdered in New York City on March 13, 1964, in an incident that led to research on the "bystander effect".

Tupac Shakur

A famous rapper who died on September 13, 1996, six days after being shot four times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas.

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What they’re saying

“All of a sudden, we heard an aircraft making a zooming noise above us, saw 2 bombs falling past the opposite side of the Palace, & then heard 2 resounding crashes as the bombs fell in the quadrangle about 30 yds away. We looked at each other, & then we were out into the passage as fast as we could get there. The whole thing happened in a matter of seconds....”

— King George VI (N/A)

What’s next

The article does not mention any specific future newsworthy events related to the stories covered.

The takeaway

Friday the 13th has become deeply ingrained in popular culture as an unlucky day, with a history of chilling and tragic events occurring on this date. While the origins of this superstition are unclear, the compilation of these disturbing occurrences over the centuries has only served to reinforce the belief that the 13th day of the 13th month is a day to be wary of.