History
Movies
Pumpkins
Superstitions
Tricks or Treats
100

Which famous magician actually died on Halloween?

Harry Houdini

100

What film popularized the modern image of a witch with flowing black robes, a pointy hat, and green skin?

Wizard of Oz

100

In "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," who does Linus mistake for the Great Pumpkin?

Snoopy

100

What do you sprinkle on your doorstep if you want to keep evil spirts out of your house on Halloween night?

Salt. According to tradition, sprinkling salt in a room or around an area can ward off evil spirits that may try to harm you

100

Which Halloween candy was originally referred to as “chicken feed"?

Candy corn

200

Why was Halloween nearly canceled as a holiday in the 1930s?

Pranksters and vandals were causing millions of dollars of damage to U.S. cities on Halloween night. Trick-or-treating is thought to have began as a way for homeowners to reward pranksters for not vandalizing their home on Halloween

200

What's the top grossing horror movie of all time?

The 2017 Stephen King movie "It"

200

On average, what percentage of Americans carve a pumpkin for Halloween?

45%

200

What year will have the next Halloween with a full moon?

2039. The previous Halloween with a full moon was  in 2020

200

What percentage of Americans pretend they're not home on Halloween?

One in five adults (20%) said they pretend they aren't at home

300

What was the ancient Celtic fall festival that was a precursor to Halloween?

Samhain, which marked the changing of the seasons

300

Who created the film "Get Out"?

Jordan Peele

300

Which U.S. state produces the most pumpkins?

Illinois according to the Department of Agriculture

300

Why do some people wear their clothes inside out on Halloween?

Superstitious folks believe they'll see a witch at midnight

300

What’s the most popular Halloween candy?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, according to a 2021 survey

400

Who was the first First Lady to decorate the White House to celebrate Halloween?

Mamie Eisenhower in 1958

400

Which movie tops Rotten Tomatoes' list of the Scariest Horror Movies Ever?

"The Exorcist"

400

How many pounds of fresh pumpkins did the U.S. produce in 2021?

Nearly 1.2 million pounds, according to the USDA

400

Why do people dress up on Halloween?

It was once believed that at the end of October, ghosts and demons would be able to walk the earth again. To protect themselves, people dressed up as spirits to blend in.

400

Which U.S. president told a group of schoolkids that the White House was haunted by the ghost of Abraham Lincoln?

In 1989, George H.W. Bush jokingly told a group of children that Lincoln was rumored to haunt the White House

500

What Halloween radio drama caused a mass panic on October 30, 1938?

"War of the Worlds."

500

What was the original working title of the movie “Beetlejuice"?

“House Ghosts"

500

What spices are in Pumpkin Pie Spice?

Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, allspice

500

How did early New Englanders protect their homes from evil spirits?

By hiding their shoes in the walls


500

How many children have been harmed or injured by poisoned or manipulated candy given to them by strangers on Halloween?

Zero. We can all remember our parents warning us about taking candy from strangers, instilling fear with stories of hidden razor blades or poison inside candy. Apparently most cases of strangers inserting objects inside candy have been very few and have never lead to any serious cases of injury.