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21 Halloween Facts
By Cindy | October 20, 2007
Did you know that people from all over the world celebrate Halloween?
People in The United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, England and some places in Australia all have fun on October 31st.
Here’s some fun and interesting facts you might enjoy …
(hint – They might be fun questions at a Halloween party.)
- The origins of Halloween is from the ancient Celtics in Ireland – More precisely their harvest festival (Samhain) where it was believed that spirits of the dead revisited their homes.
- All Saints Day was introduced in the 7th century to honor saints and martyrs. It was hoped to replace the pagan festival of the dead. Thus our current Halloween customs are a confusing mixture of pagan cultures and Christian traditions.
- “Trick or Treat” is traced to a European custom called “souling”. Beggars would go from village to village begging for Soul Cakes. The number of cakes they collected determine dhow many prayers they said on behalf of their dead relatives.
- In Britain and Ireland Halloween was known as “Mischief Night.” People were free to play pranks and cause mischief without the fear of being punished.
- Americans first celebrated Halloween in Anoka Minnesota in 1921.
- Kids began dressing up in ghoulish costumes in the 1950s.
- About 50% of adults dress up for Halloween.
- Over 10% of pet owners dress their pets up in Halloween costumes.
- The Biggest Pumpkin – 1469 Pounds! – was grown by Larry Checkon of North Cambria, Pennsylvania. The new Guinness world record was set on October 1, 2005.
- The Irish used to carve “Jack O’Lanterns.” out of turnips. When they came to America they began using pumpkins because pumpkins were more plentiful.
- 99% of pumpkins are marketed for the purpose of making Jack O’Lanterns.
- 86% of Americans decorate their homes for Halloween.
- Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange is associated with the fall harvest and black is associated with death.
- Over 28 million Halloween cards are mailed each year. The first Halloween card was made in the early 1920s.
- One quarter of all the candy sold each year is sold between September 15 and November 10.
- A traditional food eaten on Halloween in barnbrack. It’s a type of fruitcake that has a muslin-wrapped treat baked inside.
- The tradition of bobbing for apples is believed to come from the Romans Pomona Day. This Roman festival honored Pomona their goddess of fruit trees who was often pictured wearing a crown of apples.
- The tradition of “Trick or Treating” is believed to have come from the Irish. On Hallows Eve Irish townsfolk would visit neighbors and ask for contributions of food for a feast in town.
- In the 1800s Halloween was celebrated by people telling legends of their homelands.
- In Ireland you won’t hear “Trick or Treat” the kids rant “The sky is blue, the grass is green, may we have our Halloween?”
- Interesting Halloween cities include, Salem Massachusetts, Transylvania County North Carolina, Skull Creek Nebraska, Tombstone Arizona and Pumpkin Center, North Carolina.
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