Origin Story
(facts about the holiday)
(facts about the holiday)
Originally on May 13th, Pope Gregory IV moved All Saints' Day to this date in order to combine the honor of Christian martyrs and the Pagan Autumn harvest festival.
When is November 1st?
Along with start of Prohibition, this specific decade first officially printed the phrase "trick or treat" in America.
What are the 1920s?
According to classic monster folklore, this precious metal is believed to be fatal to werewolves and/or vampires.
What is silver?
The razor-gloved killer Freddy Krueger stalks his victims' dreams who live on this fictional suburban street.
What is Elm Street?
In ancient Scottish lore, these adorable creatures bring good luck and prosperity when they enter your home (or ship), but modern believes say that they bring bad luck when they crosses your path.
What is a black cat?
During Mexico's DÃa de los Muertos, families place this traditional sweet, round loaf of bread with bone-shaped strips of dough, on the altar.
What is Pan de Muerto?
In the phrase "All Hallows' Eve," this is what the word "hallow" is actually referring to.
What is a saint or holy person?
The English word "zombie" is believed to have entered the Western lexicon via Caribbean folklore, specifically stemming from this Haitian religious and cultural tradition.
What is Vodou?
Relesaed in 1960, this classic psychological thriller shattered Hollywood censorship norms with its infamous shower scene and was directed by the legendary "Master of Suspense", Alfred Hitchcock.
What is Psycho?
A superstition that some in the Appalachian and Ozark areas believe to be fatal, this is what can happen to a family member if you sweep dust through the front door after sunset.
What is an early grave or permanent exile?
Plastic skeletons climbing up roof gutters and lawn fences are staple decorations today. Beyond representing death, this historical event in Europe is where the decoration can trace its origins.
What is the Bubonic Plague or Black Death?
The famously popular monster known as "Frankenstein" is actually a misnomer. This is who the name "Frankenstein" actually refers to.
Who is Victor Frankenstein, the scientist who created the creature?
Bram Stoker’s famous 1897 novel Dracula drew heavy inspiration from this real-world historical 15th-century Wallachian prince known for his brutal punishments.
Who is Vald III the Impaler?
In The Shining, Jack Torrance's descent into madness is visually represented by the frantic typing of this single repetitive sentence on his manuscript.
Across traditional Greek, Italian, and Sicilian maritime folklore, fishermen historically believed that the presence of this faithful person or profession aboard a boat guaranteed a disastrous voyage.
What is a priest or monk?
In the mid-19th century, this wave of immigrants popularized heavy trick-or-treating and Halloween celebrations in the U.S.
What are the Irish?
In traditional European folklore, the phrase "the witching hour" refers to this specific time of night when supernatural activity is believed to peak.
What is 3:00 AM?
The legendary region of Transylvania, immortalized by Count Dracula, is located in this modern-day European country.
What is Romania?
In the 1984 classic film Ghostbusters, this colossal marshmallow monster stomps through New York City when its transformed into a towering giant.
What is Stay Puft Marshmallow Man?
Opening an umbrella indoors is widely considered to bring bad luck, In reality, this practical (and historical) reason is why this superstition exists.
The sudden opening mechanism in cramped Victorian quarters caused actual physical accidents and chaos, leading people to view it as an omen of bad fortune. [Early waterproofed umbrellas featured stiff, rigid whalebone and steel springs that could unexpectedly snap open.]
Before pumpkins, this root vegetable was traditionally carved into jack-o'-lanterns in Ireland and Scotland. (Hint: Not a potato)
What is a Turnip?
The famous rhyming couplet "Double, double toil and trouble; / Fire burn, and cauldron bubble" is a hallmark Halloween phrase, found in this classic Shakespearean play.
What is Macbeth?
In Irish mythology, when one hears the piercing, mournful wails of a bean sÃdhe (banshee), it traditionally signify or foreshadow this.
What is The imminent death of a family member?
In Jordan Peele’s horror film Get Out, the victims' consciousnesses become trapped when hypnotized, and they helplessly watch while in this void-like psychological space.
What is The Sunken Place?
This is why medieval European folklore originated the superstition of when one walks under a leaned ladder it will bring bad luck.
What is for religious reason? [a Triangle forms and represents the Holy Trinity. To break it is considered unholy and to invite the devil]