U.S. Committee In the United States, the first anti-superstition

U.S. Committee

In the United States, the first anti-superstition body was organized in 1946. This group, under the name of the National Committee of Thirteen Against Superstition, Prejudice and Fear, met first on Friday, August 13. The founder, Nick Matsoukas, had been born in Greece on June 13, the 13th child in a family of thirteen children. He and his cronies met on Fridays to walk under ladders, pet black cats, and throw away rabbits feet wherever they could find an audience. The accomplished some of their goals by publicizing these spoofs on superstition and really gained the attention of the American public when they opened an exhibit in the Museum of Natural History in New York City on the next August 13. To enter the exhibit, spectators passed under a line of umbrellas (open of course) and passed by a man smashing mirrors to viewdisplays listing the damage that superstition has done through the years.

No Extra Trouble

Apparently, none of these spools on superstition are necessary to convince Rappahannock County people that most of t^ese beliefs have no basis in fact. County Sheriff W. A. Buntin said that he never expects any extra trouble on Friday the 13th, but he did say that a full moon tends to mean a busy night for law enforcement officers. Deputy Mark Wittl agreed.

Lucy Hodgson admitted that she avoids trouble on the 13th by working in her garden, but added with a smile that she “doesn’t expect any trouble anyway.” Henry Lillard of Amissville said that he has never held with any superstition, and this was the sentiment expressed by other “man on the street" interviews.

Howard Coon of Castleton reported that he felt “very positive” about events on Friday the 13th and others said they also looked forward to Friday.

A quick review of major tragedies during the past century reinforces the opinion of Rappahannock residents that there is nothing to fear. There have been no more disasters occurring on the 13th than any other day.