- The first Jack o'lanterns were actually made from Turnips
- The word witch comes from the old English wicce meaning 'wise woman' wiccan were highly respected people at one time.
- Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween.
- According to Irish legend Jack o'Lanterns are named after a stringy 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.
- Trick or treating evolved from the ancient Celtic tradition of putting out treats and food to placate spirits who roamed the streets at samhain, a sacred festival that marked the end of the Celtic calender year.
- The largest pumpkin ever measured was grown by Norm Craven who broke the world record in 1993 with a 836lb pumpkin.
- Scarecrows a popular Halloween fixture symbolise the ancient agricultural roots of the holiday.
- Harry Houdini ( 1874 - 1926 ) was one of the most famous and mysterious magicians who ever lived. strangely enough he died in 1926 on Halloween night as a result of appendicitis brought on by three stomach punches.
- The owl is a popular Halloween image. In medieval Europe owls were thought to be witches and to hear an owl's call meant someone was about to die.
- According to tradition if a person wears his/her clothes on inside out and walks backwards on Halloween he/she will see a witch.
- In 1970 a five year old boy Kevin Toston allegedly ate Halloween candy laced with heroin. investigators later discovered that the heroin belonged to the boy's uncle and was not intended for a Halloween candy.
- In 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.
- Jack o'Lanterns originated in Ireland where people placed candles in hallowed out turnips to keep away spirits and ghosts on the samhain holiday.
- the ancient Celts thought that spirits and ghosts roamed the countryside on Halloween night. They began wearing masks and costumes to avoid being recognised as human.
