1. The tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns comes from an Irish myth about a man named Stingy Jack, and it has become a central part of Hallowen. Every year, families carve faces into pumpkins to ward off evil spirits and welcome the holiday spirit.
2. The ancient Celtic festival of Samhain is believed to be the origin of Hallowen, marking the end of summer and the beginning of the dark winter. It was a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, and costumes were worn to confuse roaming spirits.
3. The first mass-produced Hallowen costumes began appearing in stores in the 1930s, making the holiday more accessible to everyone. Today, dressing up as everything from superheroes to zombies is a beloved tradition for all ages.
4. Orange and black are the traditional Hallowen colors – orange stands for the autumn harvest and the turning leaves, while black represents the darkness of the night and the spooky atmosphere that defines the holiday.
5. The world record for the largest pumpkin ever grown exceeds 2,700 pounds, a favorite Hallowen symbol. Giant pumpkin contests are held worldwide, drawing growers who compete for the heaviest gourd.