Now that's an odd coincidence

While trying to figure out why a lot of FriendFeeders were turning 40, I uncovered an interesting little fact about September 1970. It turns out that September, 1970 was the month that the Ford Pinto was introduced.

Even odder is that the Pinto, which is popularly regarded as a disaster, was introduced on a particular day in September - September 11.

Of course, that day would acquire deep significance decades later because of the terrorist attacks in the eastern United States.

My first thought was that it was an odd coincidence that the Ford Pinto was introduced on September 11. But upon further reflection, I realized that there was a very good chance of a car introduction taking place on that day, especially since new cars are usually introduced during the fall.

But if you're interested, a number of other events occurred on September 11. You can read your own meaning into these items:

Saturday 11, 2004:
Petros VII, the (Greek Orthodox) Patriarch of Alexandria and his company are killed in an unexplained helicopter crash outside Mount Athos, Greece.

Thursday 11, 2003:
Swedish foreign minister Anna Lindh dies after being fatally wounded on September 10.

Friday 11, 1998:
Independent counsel Kenneth Starr sends a report to the U.S. Congress accusing President Bill Clinton of 11 possible impeachable offenses.

Friday 11, 1992:
Hurricane Iniki, one of the most damaging hurricane in United States history during its time, devastates the State of Hawai'i, especially the islands of Kaua'i and Oahu.

Friday 11, 1987:
Reggae musician Peter Tosh is murdered in his own home in Kingston.

Tuesday 11, 1973:
A military coup in Chile headed by General Augusto Pinochet topples the democratically elected President Salvador Allende.

Now some people would conclude that September 11 is extremely unlucky, and perhaps postpone an event from the 11th to the 12th. Before you do that:

Monday 12, 1994:
Frank Eugene Corder crashes a Cessna 150 into the White House's south lawn, striking the West wing and killing himself.

Probably an al-Qaeda operative.

So just bear in mind that every day has good things and bad things happen. For example:

Friday 30, 1965:
US President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Social Security Act of 1965 into law, establishing Medicare and Medicaid.

But:

Friday 30, 2004:
A gas explosion kills 16 people in Belgium.