1- Ireland is the birthplace of Halloween. Originally it was named Samhain, a Gaelic word for ‘Summer’s End’. Pronounced ‘sow-in’ with the ‘ow’ as in ‘how’.
2- Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween.
3- Jack o lanterns were originally made from turnips or potatoes, but after the potato famine pumkins were used. They were carved because of the story of Stingy Jack the farmer. When he died, he was forbidden to enter heaven or hell. Forever cursed to wander the land of the living, he carved a lantern from a turnip to guide his path.
4- Halloween has many names around the world. All Hallows Eve, Samhain, Witches night, All Saint’s Eve.
5- Trick or treating was an ancient Celtic tradition. Food was left out to appease wandering spirits.
6- Harry Houdini died on Halloween 1926. He was a famous escapologist and magician famous for exposing mediums and psychics
7- the world’s largest Halloween parade in held in New York City in America.
8- It is good luck to see a spider on Halloween as it is meant to be the spirit of a loved one watching over you. If a spider falls in your lantern on Halloween this means a witch in near.
9- Souling. This was a Christian precursor to Halloween in the middle ages. During Hallowmas, the poor would travel from door to door exchanging prayers for food.
10-Myth has it that if you wear your clothes inside out and walk backwards on Halloween, a witch will appear at midnight.
Jeremy Smith 