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Halloween - True or False?

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