High-Degree Autumn
This specific type of flavonoid water-soluble pigment is responsible for the brilliant red, purple, and blue hues of autumn leaves.
What is anthocyanin?
Many U.S. cities host "Octoberfest" events, but the original Oktoberfest held in Munich, Germany, actually wraps up during the first weekend of this month.
What is September?
In Austria, it is a traditional custom to leave these two things out on the table on Halloween night before going to bed to welcome dead souls back to Earth.
What are bread and water (or a lit lamp)?
Invented in the late 1880s by the Wunderle Candy Company, this distinctively layered tri-color autumn treat was originally marketed under the name "Chicken Feed."
What is Candy Corn?
While the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are Thanksgiving mainstays, this eastern city hosts the oldest continuous Thanksgiving Day Parade, outdating Macy's by four years.
What is Philadelphia?
Named after a type of poultry, this period of unseasonably warm, dry weather occurs in late autumn, typically after a hard frost.
What is an Indian summer?
Originating as a way to ward off spirits, the traditional Celtic practice of carving jack-o'-lanterns used this root vegetable long before immigrants adapted to American pumpkins.
What is a turnip?
While not exactly Halloween, this November 5th British holiday features massive bonfires, fireworks, and the burning of effigies to mark a failed 1605 plot.
What is Guy Fawkes Day (or Bonfire Night)?
Developed in 1896, this nostalgic chocolate chew holds the title of the first individually wrapped penny candy in North America.
What is a Tootsie Roll?
Though a few earlier leaders spared birds, this U.S. President was the first to establish the official, formalized annual "presidential pardon" for turkeys in 1989.
Who is George H.W. Bush?
Clocking in at 2,749 pounds, the current world record for the heaviest pumpkin was grown in this European country in 2023.
What is Italy?
Families across Mexico create vibrant, candle-lit altars called ofrendas to guide souls back home during this multi-day November holiday.
What is Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)?
In Germany, it is an autumn superstition to hide all of these items on Halloween night so returning spirits don't accidentally get hurt—or hurt the living.
What are knives?
The letters in this iconic candy brand—frequently distributed in colorful candy-coated versions—stand for Mars and Murrie, the surnames of the company's founders.
What are M&M's?
While the U.S. celebrates in November, Canada celebrates its official Thanksgiving on the second Monday of this month.
What is October?
In botany, this 10-letter word describes the natural shedding of leaves by trees and shrubs at the end of the growing season.
What is abscission?
This prominent nine-night autumn Hindu festival honors the divine feminine and the goddess Durga, culminating in massive celebrations and community dances.
What is Navaratri?
In Italy, a traditional All Souls' Day treat is a soft, oval cookie flavored with almonds and orange zest known by this skeletal name.
What are Bones of the Dead (Ossa dei Morti)?
Introduced in 1932, this nougat-and-caramel chocolate bar originally featured three distinct pieces per pack: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
What is a 3 Musketeers bar?
A staple of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the very first giant helium character balloon introduced in 1927 was this famous cartoon feline.
Who is Felix the Cat?
Historically marked by the arrival of the constellation Orion, the full moon following the Harvest Moon bears this predatory name.
What is the Hunter's Moon?
In South Korea, this major mid-autumn harvest festival sees families gather to share a feast and traditional crescent-shaped rice cakes called songpyeon.
What is Chuseok?
In Ireland, the birthplace of Halloween, families bake this traditional fruitcake containing hidden objects like rings or coins to foretell the finder's future.
What is Barmbrack?
Though it sounds presidential, this peanut, caramel, and nougat bar was actually named after the family horse of candy magnates Frank and Ethel Mars.
What is a Snickers bar?
Celebrated in Norfolk Island (an Australian territory), their unique Thanksgiving tradition stems from 19th-century American whalers and involves decorating churches with this specific tropical fruit
What are bananas?