BackStory

216: What’s in a Number?: Thirteen in American History

The 13th of any month is more likely to occur on a Friday than any other day of the week and it’s happened as many as three times in a single calendar year. So, why is it considered bad luck?  In this episode, Joanne, Nathan and Brian explore stories of superstition and the surprising roles the number 13 has played across American history.<br/>
<br/>
Image: Triskaidekaphobia stock photo. Source: iStock by Getty Images<br/>
<br/>
BackStory is funded in part by our listeners. You can help keep the episodes coming by supporting the show: <a href="https://www.backstoryradio.org/support">https://www.backstoryradio.org/support</a>


BackStory is a weekly public podcast hosted by U.S. historians Ed Ayers, Brian Balogh, Nathan Connolly and Joanne Freeman. We're based in Charlottesville, Va. at Virginia Humanities.

There’s the history you had to learn, and the history you want to learn - that’s where BackStory comes in. Each week BackStory takes a topic that people are talking about and explores it through the lens of American history. Through stories, interviews, and conversations with our listeners, BackStory makes history engaging and fun.