True or False: The original Jack O'Lanterns were made from turnips and potatoes.
True: They were carved to ward off evil spirits and other unwanted travelers.
True or False: Ireland is believed to be the birthplace of Halloween.
True: Halloween was originally an ancient Irish festival called "Samhain", meaning the "end of summer".”
True or False: The word witch comes from the Old English "wicce" meaning "wise woman".
False: The word witch derives from the Old English nouns [ˈwittʃɑ] ('sorcerer, male witch, warlock') and [ˈwittʃe] ('sorceress, female witch').
True or False: "Samhainophobia" is the fear of Halloween.
True: Halloween was originally an ancient Irish pagan festival called "Samhain".
In the Czech Republic, the country's president addresses the nation every Halloween wearing a costume.
True
False
True or False: Halloween originated in Europe but during the 19th century immigrants brought it to North America.
True: The custom of Halloween came to America in the 1840s with Irish immigrants fleeing a potato famine.
True or False: The name 'Halloween' is not pagan but actually comes from the Catholic church.
True: The word "Halloween" comes from All Hallows' Eve. Hundreds of years ago, people dressed up as saints and went door-to-door.
In Italy, priests are not allowed to perform weddings on Halloween.
True
False
During the Salem witch trials, two dogs were also executed after being convicted of using witchcraft.
True
False
So many fireworks were set off during Halloween in 2007 that the British Geological Survey initially thought that a minor earthquake had taken place.
False
True
True or False: Halloween is the third most commercially successful holiday, coming behind Valentine's Day and Christmas.
False: Halloween is actually the second.
True or False: Trick-or-treating is a "modern" custom.
False: Hundreds of years ago, people dressed up as saints and went door-to-door.
True or False: Halloween was originally the celebration of the New Year.
True: "Samhain" was celebrated on the 1st of November so the day before they would celebrate the turning of the new year.
True or False: Halloween was banned during WWII.
True: The government made sure that youngsters knew that pranks and mischief fell under the same category as sabotage in this time of war.
True or False: The most popular children’s costumes are witches and ghosts.
False: Princesses and superheroes have been the most popular costumes for children over the last few years. Adults are more likely to dress as witches.
True or False: Owls were once thought to be witches.
True: In Medieval Europe, owls were believed to be witches and if an owl’s call was heard, it meant that a person was about to die.
