How did the number 13 get such a bad reputation?
Marcus Chen
Marcus Chen
Senior Reporter · Syracuse, NY
With a degree in Business Journalism from Columbia University, Marcus has spent a decade reporting on economic trends and local businesses for the Albany Times Union and formerly for NPR’s Upstate New York affiliate. His deep understanding of the financial landscape equips him to provide context to local economic shifts impacting Syracuse families.
More from Marcus →Senior Reporter · Friday, November 13, 2026 at 3:43 PM · 1 min read
If Friday the 13th makes you a little nervous, you have plenty of company. The date has been linked to bad luck for generations, although historians say its exact origin remains unclear. National Geographic explains that research has found no evidence that Friday the 13th is actually more unlucky than other dates.