Political turmoil, murder hornets – not to mention a global pandemic – has left many hoping 2020 comes to a quick end.
It’s no surprise that social media has been buzzing this week as this Friday marks Nov. 13 – a notoriously superstitious day for bad luck. This marks the second time the 13th day of a month has landed on a Friday this year, the last being back in March.
How did the day come about to be so feared?
Here’s a brief history, which does vary slightly from crowd to crowd: According to some historians, the day is linked to a Norse myth about 12 gods at a dinner party. The trickster god, named Loki, wasn’t invited to the party but showed up anyway, making him the 13th guest who also arranged for the death of one of the gods.
In pop culture, Jason Voorhees has taken over much of the narrative for Friday the 13th. The iconic hockey mask has become a highly recognizable image, not to mention the key costume of a 12-movie slasher franchise.
Happy #FridayThe13th pic.twitter.com/9jFislFQsn
— Michael Myers (@RealMMyers78) November 13, 2020
But this Friday the 13th slightly differs from years past because it falls on World Kindness Day – which also feels rather fitting in 2020.
The commemorative day, which was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement – a group of non-governmental organizations – is intended to be dedicated to doing an act of kindness and spread love.
Today, World Kindness Day is celebrated in 28 countries across the world, including in Canada.
Who put #WorldKindnessDay on Friday the 13th? 🤞
— Target (@Target) November 13, 2020
Be kind to all #WorldKindnessDay pic.twitter.com/BICPPVtKCv
— PEANUTS (@Snoopy) November 13, 2020
Kindness means friendship, ​
Kindness means love, ​
Kindness means respecting each other’s differences. ♥ï¸Happy #WorldKindnessDay! pic.twitter.com/JKBTCvBSAR
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) November 13, 2020
Being kind is not always the easiest option but something worth doing is not always easy. #BearKind #WorldKindnessDay
— Paddington (@paddingtonbear) November 13, 2020
@ashwadhwani
ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.caLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Want to support local journalism? Make a donation here.
