Halloween History
On what date is Halloween celebrated?
October 31st
The North American holiday is enjoyed across the U.S. and Canada with pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating.
What kind of creature is Count Dracula?
Vampire.
Dracula hails from Transylvania and uses supernatural powers to travel and consumes blood from innocent victims to survive.
What are you afraid of if you have samhainophobia?
Halloween.
The anxiety disorder causes an intense fear of the holiday, even just seeing the decorations in stores can lead to severe and unpleasant symptoms.
What are the two main colors associated with Halloween?
Black and Orange.
The Celts associated black with the coming dark of winter and with death, and orange with autumn and the color of bonfires.
The spirit of a loved one is watching over you.
What group of immigrants brought Halloween to North America?
Irish and Scottish.
According to lore, in what does a vampire sleep?
The novel Dracula perpetuates this belief. In the story, Dracula must sleep in the soil from his home to maintain himself, and he uses the coffin to do so.
What are you afraid of if you have arachnophobia?
Spiders.
The difference between a fear and a phobia is that a phobia is an intense and irrational fear, and the level of fear does not match the actual danger presented.
According to the Alabama Code, what kind of Halloween costumes are prohibited?
Priest, nun, rabbi, or any other clergy member.
It is a misdemeanor, and you could be fined up to $500 and possibly receive jail time.
What does it mean if a candle's flame turns blue or blows out on Halloween?
A ghost is near.
What is the name of the ancient Celtic festival to which Halloween can be traced?
Samhain (SOW-in)
The Celts of the UK, Ireland, and northern France considered this the final day of their year.
True or False: the vampire myth is linked to a real medical condition.
True.
It is a hereditary blood disorder called porphyria that was prevalent among Eastern Europe nobility and royalty.
What are you afraid of if you have maskaphobia?
Masks or costumes.
This phobia can be created by a past negative event. It can also come from a fear of the unknown i.e. not being able to see a person's real face.
Which First Lady was the first to decorate the White House for Halloween? HINT: It was 1958
Mamie Eisenhower.
She hosted a lunch for wives of staff members and decorated with pumpkin and dried cornstalks. It wasn't until the Kennedy's brought their young children to the White House that trick-or-treating events began.
What abilities do children born on Halloween are thought to have?
Second Sight
This is the ability to see and talk to spirits.
From where did the term Halloween come from?
All Hallows Eve.
All Hallows' Day or All Saints' Day is a Catholic holiday recognized on November 1st.
What item is commonly thought to ward of Vampires?
Garlic
What are you afraid of if you have nyctophobia?
The Dark.
While this one is more common amongst children (and a lot of children grow out of it as they get older), there are still many adults affected by a fear of the dark.
Why are black cats associated with Halloween?
The Puritans associated black cats with witchcraft.
In many cultures, black cats are actually signs of good luck.
What are owls associated with?
Death.
One superstation says if you hear an owl's hoot, someone is about to die.
When is Halloween thought to have started? A. 1600 AD, B. 4000 BC, C. 1800 AD
4,000 BC
What animal are vampires thought to turn into?
Bats.
What are you afraid of if you have selenophobia?
Full moons are often linked to werewolves in movies and there is a belief shared by some that the moon can affect emotions.
What famous magician died on Halloween?
Harry Houdini.
In 1926, he died from a ruptured appendix.
What fruit is thought to be used to predict your future spouse?
Apples.
It is said if you throw an apple peel over your shoulder it will form the initial of your future love when it hits the ground.