Five Things You Need to Know Today: Friday the 13th Edition

Today is Friday the 13th... learn more about the number 13 and what some consider a superstitious date.

1. Death of a Princess

The driver of Princess Diana hit pillar #13 at Place de l'Alma when she was killed in Paris, France.

2. Floors, rooms and highways

Hotels rarely have a room number 13. Usually it is called 12a or 14. Same with floors of buildings and the elevators without a #13 button. Highways sometimes will skip exit 13 altogether also.

3. Houston, we have a problem

The ill-fated Apollo 13 launched at 13:13 CST on Apr. 11, 1970. The sum of the date's digits (4-11-70) is 13 (as in 4+1+1+7+0 = 13). And the explosion that crippled the spacecraft occurred on April 13 (not a Friday). The crew did make it back to Earth safely, however.

4. Cruise fear

Certain ocean liners will be held in dock until after midnight to appease passengers' fears on Friday the 13th.

5. Pains in the neck

There are 13 steps leading to the gallows, 13 knots in a hangman's noose, and 13 feet that the guillotine blade falls.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Facts courtesy Cosmicsociety.com, and Livescience.com.)