Spooky Facts You Might Not Know About Halloween

#1 Halloween Began In Ireland

Celts believed Samhain was a time when the wall between our world and the paranormal world was porous and spirits could get through. Because of this belief, it was common for the Celts to wear costumes and masks during the festival to ward off or befuddle any evil spirits. Wiccans still celebrate Samhain as a New Year celebration today. That day is October 31st.

#2 Mocking The Devil

According to many Christians, the devil is the enemy, and Halloween celebrates the evil of the underworld. Back before Christians co-opted the celebration as All Hallow's Eve, they were very strict and the Devil was a mortal enemy of the church. When the Catholic church began using the time of Halloween as All Hallow's, they celebrated the holiday where saints are honored and people pray for the recently deceased. They wore ghoulish costumes to mock the evil spirits. Somewhere along the line it became combined with a few other annual events and religious holidays and became what we know today as Halloween.

#3 Day Of The Dead

Mexico celebrates the Days of the Dead (DÃas de los Muertos) on the Christian holidays All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2) instead of Halloween. The townspeople dress up like ghouls and parade down the street to embrace and celebrate the dead, while Halloween is based on fear of the dead.

#4 Jack-O’-Lantern

The first Jack O'Lanterns were actually made from turnips. According to Irish legend, Jack O'Lanterns are named after a stingy man named Jack who, because he tricked the devil several times, was forbidden entrance into both heaven and hell. He was condemned to wander the Earth, waving his lantern to lead people away from their paths. The largest pumpkin ever measured was grown by Norm Craven, who broke the world record in 1993 with a 836 lb. pumpkin.

#5 Halloween Costumes

Celts believed Samhain was a time when the wall between our world and the paranormal world was porous and spirits could get through. Because of this belief, it was common for the Celts to wear costumes and masks during the festival to ward off or befuddle any evil spirits by mixing in with those who gathered. Of course, this practice eventually became a time of dressing up and playing a character for one night, forgoing all the evil attire once worn for thing slike Smurfs, M&Ms, Clowns, and even Superman and other heroes.

#6 The Movie That Made Halloween

If you look hard enough you can see it. Because the movie Halloween (1978) was on such a tight budget, they had to use the cheapest mask they could find for the character Michael Meyers, which turned out to be a William Shatner Star Trek mask dipped in white glossy paint. Shatner initially didn't know the mask was in his likeness, but when he found out years later, he said he was honored. The face and mask are iconic in horror movie history.

#7 Witches Were Like Shamans

The word "witch" comes from the Old English wicce, meaning "wise woman." In fact, Wiccans were highly respected people at one time. According to popular belief, witches held one of their two main meetings, or sabbats, on Halloween night. People would go to a witch for advice, relationship assistance, and to seek revenge on those who had done them harm. They were full of answers, considered the wisest women in the community.

#8 Tainted Candy

One of a parent's biggest fears is that their child's Halloween candy is poisoned or contains razor blades. In reality, this fear is almost entirely unfounded. Some people blame Satan for the altered candy. In 1970, a five-year-old boy Kevin Toston allegedly ate Halloween candy laced with heroin. Investigators later discovered the heroin belonged to the boy's uncle and was not intended for a Halloween candy. n 1974, eight-year-old Timothy O'Bryan died of cyanide poisoning after eating Halloween candy. Investigators later learned that his father had taken out a $20,000 life insurance policy on each of his children and that he had poisoned his own son and also attempted to poison his daughter. Since Halloween is one of the deadliest nights of they year on the roads anyway, it's always safer to proceed with caution just in case.

#9 Trick-Or-Treat

Versions of trick-or-treating have existed since medieval times. In the past, it was known as "guising" where children and poor adults went around in costumes during Hallowmas begging for food and money in exchange for songs or prayers. It was also called "souling." Trick-or-treating was brought to America by the Irish and became popular during the early 20th century, but died out during WWII when sugar was rationed. By the 1950s it was back in full swing again, and more popular than ever. It took on a 'trick' aspect in the depression era when poor children would do something sinister to the person who refused to hand out a treat. The first known mention of trick-or-treating in print in North America occurred in 1927 in Blackie, Alberta, Canada.

#10 Ban On Silly String

The children's toy Silly String is actually illegal to use in several US cities, and the entire state of Connecticut, on Halloween. There's a $1,000 fine for using or selling Silly String in Hollywood on Halloween. after thousands of bored people would buy it on the streets of Hollywood in 2004,from illegal vendors, and "vandalize" the streets, the city decided to issues a fine of six months in jail for anyone caught with the string. One city in Canda has banned handing out unwrapped foods like fruits or popcorn balls, and a lot of places are banning any CLOWNS due to recent spottings of creepy (killer) clowns in North America.

#11 Creepy Superstitions

According to superstition, there is a good chance on Halloween that you are being shadowed by Death himself, and if you look upon him it will be your end. It's a night full of creepy tales of the dead rising from the graves, black cats, owls, and monsters. According to tradition, if a person wears his or her clothes inside out and then walks backward on Halloween, he or she will see a witch at midnight. If a black cat crosses your path that's 7 years bad luck. Some girls believe that if they walk downstairs backwards, holding a mirror, they will see their future husband once they reach the bottom step. Other say they will see Satan himself.

#12 Haunted Houses

Haunted houses have been popular for ages, but more so in the last 8-10 years than ever. Companies assemble structures like a full-sized theme park attraction and operate for just a month to get the most bang out of their eager patrons. These attractions have become so realistic that they are actually causing strokes and heart attacks to people who have been practically frightened to death. Unfortunately, there are sometimes dangers for haunted house volunteers apart from the customers. Customers at Creepyworld in St. Louis were walking through a bathroom scene drenched in fake blood when they saw a very realistic-looking corpse hanging from a noosea little too realistic. As it turns out, something had gone horribly wrong. A teenage volunteer had somehow gotten up on the bathtub and become caught in the noose, ending up in a coma for three days.

#13 Salem, Massachusettes

Everyone is familiar with Salem, Massachusettes for being the place where witches were burned at the stake in the 1600s. But the city has taken that bad reputation and turned it into a tourist attraction. Now known as the Halloween Capital of the World, Salem is cashing in on the holiday. The city is chock-full of shops that cater to witches, with a witch museum and scores of other spooky sites. However, like any city, the thing that truly gives it the spark of awe and creepiness are the people. Salem on Halloween is an extraordinary experience, with people thronging the streets in every sort of costume imaginable. Some people have even likened Salem to a 365-day Halloween party, and thousands of actual Wiccans have relocated to the city.

#14 Commercialized Holiday

Second only to Christmas, Americans spend an estimated $6 billion on Halloween annually, including candy, costumes, and decorations, according to History.com. In many countries, such as France and Australia, Halloween is seen as an unwanted and overly commercial American influence. The candy industry in America rakes in an average of $3 billion annually thanks to Halloween (that's 90 million pounds of chocolate). In Ireland, they hold huge parties and gatherings rather than go door-to-door, and that is becoming the norm for many Americans recently, especially since Adults are taking the holiday over for themselves. Halloween is the third highest grossing night for bar owners.

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