Halloween Facts – A Fit in Boonsboro Article

FUN FACTS ABOUT HALLOWEEN

Halloween is a celebration of all things spooky, and in the US it’s surrounded by a few odd traditions. Trick or treating, pumpkin carving, dressing up in costumes have become the norm. Here are some interesting facts of today’s practices, how they got started.

  1. Jack O Lantern comes from the Irish legend of Sting Jack~

Legend has it Stingy Jack invited the devil to have a drink with him, but Jack didn’t want to pay for the drink, so he convinced the devil to turn himself into a coin. Instead of buying the drink, he pocketed the coin & kept it close to a silver cross in his house, preventing the devil from taking shape again. Jack promised to let the devil go as long as he would leave Jack alone for a year. Deal was, when Jack died the devil could claim his soul. After a year, Jack tricked the devil again. When Jack died turned out God didn’t want such a conniving person in heaven and the devil decided he really didn’t want his soul. Jack was sent out into the night alone with only a burning coal to light his path. He placed the coal inside a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the earth ever since!

  1. Candy Corn was originally called Chicken Feed

Though many would agree candy corn taste like chicken feed, that is not how it got its original name. Created in the 1880’s by George Renninger this candy confection was sold to the masses at the turn of the century. Because corn was used to feed chickens, the creation was called “Chicken Feed” and the box was marked with a colorful rooster.

  1. Trick-Or-Treating comes from “Souling”

The classic 1978 horror film “Halloween” can be easily recognized in just one image- the psychotic Michael Myers in his iconic pale faced mask. Without a doubt, it’s one chilling look that has truck terror into the hearts of many. The movie was actually filmed on such a tight budget that the crew used the cheapest mask they could find. At $2.00 they spray painted the mask white & reshaped the eye holes, making William Shatner look incredibly creepy.

  1. Halloween originated from an ancient Celtic Festival

Having children dress up in costumes and go door to door like little beggars demanding treats is kind of weird. Like many other Halloween activities, the tradition can be traced back to the Middle Ages and the rituals of Samhain. It was believed that phantoms walked the earth on the night of Samhain, so people would dress up in costumes in an effort to repel the evil spirits. The Catholic church started pagan festivals with their own holidays, like All Saints Day. The act of Souling became popular. Poor children & adults started going door to door dressed as spirits accepting food in exchange for prayers.

  1. The most lit Jack O Lantern on display is 30,581

According to Guinness World Records, the highest number of lit Jack O Lanterns on display is 30,581 by the city of Keene, New Hampshire in 2013.

  1. Halloween folklore is full of fortune telling and magic

Old English folklore about Halloween is full of superstition and fortune telling still lingers today. Like bobbing for apples.

  1. Day of the Dead should really be called Days of the Dead

The Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos, takes place October 31 through Nov 2 in Mexico. November 1st Dia de los Inocentes, honors children that have died. Family members decorate graves with baby’s breath and white orchids. November 2nd, Dia de los Muertos, honors adults who have died. The graves for adults, are decorated with orange marigolds. The original Aztec celebration lasted for about a month. When the Spanish conquistadors came to Mexico in the 16th century, they merged the festival with the Catholic All Saint’s Day. Today’s celebration is a mix of both Aztec rituals of skulls, altars to the dead, and food.

  1. The holiday dates back more than 2,000 years.

Halloween is even older than Christianity itself. It started as a pre-Christian Celtic festival called Samhain, which means summer’s end. Held around the 1st of November, the feast recognized the last day of the Fall harvest & spirits crossing over, since they believed the veil between the living and sprit. People in Ireland, the United Kingdom & Northern France used to ward off ghosts by lighting sacrificial bonfire, and wear costumes to trick the spirits.

  1. Halloween Rituals used to involve finding a husband!

During the 18th century, single ladies devised Halloween traditions that were supposed to help them find a romantic match. According to History.com, women used to throw apple peels over the shoulder, hoping to see their future husband’s initials in the pattern when they landed. When they bobbed for apples at parties, the winner would supposedly marry first.

  1. Today Halloween is the 2nd Largest commercial holiday in the country.

Halloween ranks 2nd only after Christmas! Consumers spent approximately $9 billion on Halloween in 2019. Spending was down a bit in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic, but Americans still spent over $8 billion overall. That is an average $92.00 per person!