Fun facts about Halloween

Holidays

Rate this topic

Free. One surprising fact at a time, by email or push. No app needed.

Did you know? Jack-o-lanterns originated in Ireland, where people carved scary faces into turnips or potatoes to ward off a mythical trickster named Stingy Jack. When Irish immigrants arrived in America, they discovered that pumpkins were much easier to carve and adopted them for the tradition instead.

Fact 1 of 27

27 facts about Halloween

1
Pumpkins are technically a fruit, specifically a type of berry called a pepo, because they develop from a flower and contain seeds inside their fleshy interior.
2
The tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns actually originated from a folktale about a man named Stingy Jack who tricked the Devil and was forced to roam the earth with only a burning coal inside a hollowed-out turnip to light his way.
3
In some parts of Ireland, traditional Halloween celebrations involve eating a fruitcake called barmbrack, which contains a hidden ring that is said to predict the future marriage of the person who finds it.
4
Many people think that pumpkins have always been the primary vegetable for carving, but the tradition actually evolved from the Irish custom of carving potatoes and turnips to create scary faces.
5
In the Middle Ages, people believed that ringing bells would help ward off evil spirits that were supposedly roaming the earth on Halloween night.
6
The fear of Halloween is a real medical condition called Samhainophobia, which causes people to experience extreme anxiety or irrational panic at the thought of the holiday.
7
Because of Halloween, the demand for pumpkins is so high that farmers often begin planting their seeds in May just to keep up with the October rush.
8
Many think Halloween originated in America, but it actually started over 2,000 years ago as the Celtic festival of Samhain.
9
The world's largest pumpkin ever recorded weighed over 2,700 pounds, which is roughly the same weight as a small economy car.
10
Before it became a candy holiday, Halloween was historically a time for matchmaking and fortune telling games involving nuts and apples.
11
If you look into a mirror at midnight on Halloween, legend says you will see your future spouse peering back at you.
12
The popular song Monster Mash hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart just before Halloween in 1962.
13
At the 2013 Keene Pumpkin Festival in New Hampshire, 30,581 lit jack-o'-lanterns were displayed at once, setting a world record.
14
Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange represents the fall harvest and black represents the death of summer.
15
Carrying a flashlight on Halloween is a modern safety tip, but historically people carried lanterns made from hollowed out gourds to guide their way in the dark.
16
The phrase trick or treat was not actually used in North America until the 1920s.
17
Illinois is the top pumpkin producing state in the United States, growing more pumpkins than the next five states combined.
18
The average American consumes about 3.4 pounds of candy during the Halloween season, which is roughly the weight of a small Chihuahua.
19
If you see a spider on Halloween, some folklore traditions suggest it is the spirit of a deceased loved one watching over you.
20
Many people believe that black cats are unlucky, but in Scotland, a black cat arriving at your home is a sign of impending prosperity.
21
In Hollywood, California, it is illegal to use or possess Silly String in public on Halloween night, with violators facing a fine of up to 1,000 dollars.
22
The very first jack-o'-lanterns were actually carved out of rutabagas and beets instead of pumpkins.
23
In 1962, a Halloween novelty song called 'Monster Mash' was briefly banned by the BBC for being 'too morbid,' despite it being a silly, lighthearted dance song about a monster having a party!
24
Candy corn was originally called chicken feed because it was produced by a company that specialized in agricultural themed candy and was marketed to farmers who raised chickens.
25
Black cats were once considered bad luck because they were associated with witches during the Middle Ages, but in many other cultures, such as in Japan and parts of Great Britain, they are actually considered symbols of good luck and prosperity.
26
The fear of Halloween is a real phobia known as samhainophobia, which is named after the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain that marked the beginning of the new year and the start of the darker winter months.

Father's Day Holidays

The first Father's Day celebration was held in a church in West Virginia in 1908 after a tragic mining explosion killed hundreds of men, as a way to honor the fathers who had lost their lives.

Fourth of July Holidays

The Continental Congress actually voted for independence on July 2, 1776, but John Adams predicted that July 2 would be celebrated with fireworks and parades forever.

Groundhog Day Holidays

The groundhog is actually not a weather forecaster; historically, accuracy rates for Groundhog Day predictions hover around 40 percent, meaning you would likely have better luck flipping a coin.

Hanukkah Holidays

Many people believe that Hanukkah is the most important holiday in Judaism, but it is actually considered a minor festival compared to holidays like Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur.

Home Alone Holidays

The iconic poster of Kevin screaming with his hands on his face was inspired by the famous expressionist painting The Scream by Edvard Munch.

Juneteenth Holidays

Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, it did not legally end slavery in the border states that remained in the Union; it took the ratification of the 13th Amendment later in 1865 to constitutionally abolish slavery nationwide.

Fun facts about Halloween

27 facts about Halloween

Categories

Support

Braintasia

Legal

Fun facts about Halloween

27 facts about Halloween

More in Holidays