Halloween History
On what date is Halloween celebrated in the US?
October 31st
What do children say when they ask for candy at someone's house?
"Trick or treat"
What vegetable do people usually carve at Halloween?
Pumpkins
What month is Halloween in?
October
Name two common colors are used in Halloween decorations.
Orange, black, purple
Which ancient Celtic festival is considered the root of Halloween?
Samhain (sow-in)
What do children collect when they go house to house?
Candy
What do you call a carved pumpkins with a candle inside?
Why did Celts wear costumes during Samhain?
To blend in with spirits/to scare away spirits
What do people place inside a Jack-o'-lantern to light it up?
A candle
Which Christian holy day, celebrated on November 1st, influenced Halloween?
All Saints' Day
Name two popular Halloween costumes.
Answers will vary (ex. witch, ghost, monster, black cat, etc.)
Answers will vary (ex. spiderwebs, skeletons, scarecrows, mummies, etc.)
The word Halloween comes from what phrase?
All Hallows' Eve
What do many houses show outside to welcome trick-or-treaters?
Answers will vary (decorations and lights)
Which group of immigrants helped bring Halloween to America? (What country were they from?)
Irish immigrants
What spooky attraction (done inside someone's home) has scary rooms and actors?
Haunted House
Which vegetable was carved before pumpkins in Europe?
Turnips
What might happen if a house does not give candy on Halloween?
Someone might play a prank or trick on you or your house
What do people watch or tell to feel scared?
Scary stories or movies
After which war did trick-or-treating become very popular in the US?
World War II
Name another fun Halloween activity besides trick-or-treating.
Answers will vary (ex. scary stories, bobbing for apples, etc.)
Why do people carve faces into pumpkins?
To scare away spirits
What did the Celts believe was thin during Samhain?
the boundary between the living and the dead
Which season celebration did Samhain mark the end of?
Harvest season