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Questions and Answers
What is one common belief associated with salt in the context of Halloween?
How many jack-o’-lanterns did Keene, New Hampshire display to set a record for the most lit jack-o'-lanterns on display in October 2013?
What is the night before Halloween commonly called in some regions of the US?
Which country originated carving jack-o'-lanterns?
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What is the traditional Halloween bread from Ireland called?
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What was the original title of the movie Hocus Pocus?
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Which city is known for throwing the biggest Halloween parade in the U.S.?
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In what year did 'Monster Mash' first reach number one on the Billboard charts?
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What unfortunate consequence does Bathurst, Canada impose on those over 16 caught trick-or-treating?
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What was the purpose of Conway renaming itself to the 'city of Halloween'?
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What percentage of adults reportedly pretended not to be home to avoid trick-or-treaters in 2023?
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What was the original shout children used to request candy on Halloween?
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Why are the colors black and orange associated with Halloween?
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How often does a full moon occur on Halloween?
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What tradition was 'guising' associated with in Scotland and Ireland?
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What Halloween ritual was specifically designed for unmarried women in the 18th century?
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Study Notes
Halloween History and Origins
- Halloween originated as a pre-Christian Celtic festival called Samhain, meaning "summer's end", celebrated in the beginning of November.
- Samhain recognized the last day of the fall harvest and the spirits crossing over since the veil between the living and spirit world grew thinnest.
- People in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Northern France lit sacrificial bonfires and wore costumes to ward off ghosts.
Halloween Traditions
- Trick-or-treating has existed since medieval times, known as "guising" in Scotland and Ireland.
- Young people dressed up in costumes and went door-to-door for food or money in exchange for songs, poems, or other "tricks".
Halloween Colors
- Black and orange are the colors associated with Halloween due to the Celtic festival of Samhain.
- Black represents the "death" of summer, while orange represents the life of the fall harvest.
Halloween Folklore and Superstitions
- Salt is believed to be a protective shield against evil spirits.
- The phrase "trick or treat" originated from "belsnickeling," a German-American Christmas tradition.
Halloween Cultural Impact
- Immigrants, particularly Irish fleeing the potato famine, brought their Halloween traditions to the U.S.
- Trick-or-treating became prevalent in the 1930s as a way to control pranksters.
- Sugar rationing during World War II significantly decreased trick-or-treating.
Halloween in the Modern Era
- Halloween is the second-largest commercial holiday in the U.S.
- Americans spend billions on candy, decorations, and costumes.
- Candy corn was originally called "chicken feed".
Popular Halloween Costumes
- Princesses and superheroes remain popular costumes for children despite increasing popularity of other costumes such as Barbie.
Halloween Candy
- Reese's Cups are the most popular Halloween candy, followed by M&M's, Hot Tamales, Skittles, and Sour Patch Kids.
- Candy corn, despite being disliked by some, is still a popular Halloween treat.
Halloween Oddities
- Jason Vorhees, the villain from the Friday the 13th franchise, has a statue at the bottom of a Minnesota lake.
- A city in South Carolina renames itself "Halloween" every October to boost tourism.
- A Canadian city banned teens over 16 from trick-or-treating due to mischief.
- Harry Houdini died on Halloween in 1926 from peritonitis caused by a ruptured appendix.
- Some shelters used to suspend black cat adoptions for Halloween due to fears of Satanic cults.
Halloween Records
- Stephen Clarke holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest pumpkin carving, achieving a time of 16.47 seconds.
- Keene, New Hampshire, boasts a record for the most jack-o'-lanterns on display, with 30,581 lit pumpkins.
Halloween Rituals and Customs
- Bobbing for apples was tradition intended to help single women find a husband.
- Barmbrack, a sweet loaf with hidden trinkets, is a traditional Irish Halloween bread.
Halloween Events
- New York City boasts the largest Halloween parade in the U.S.
- The 'Monster Mash' song remains popular, frequently charting on the Billboard Hot 100
- Pumpkin patches can be found across the U.S., including Hawaii.
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Description
Explore the fascinating origins of Halloween, from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain to modern traditions like trick-or-treating. Discover the significance of Halloween's colors and the folklore surrounding this spooky holiday. Test your knowledge on how Halloween evolved over time and its impact on culture today.
