1. The first Jack O’ Lanterns were actually made from turnips.
2. The word “witch” comes from the Old English wicce, meaning “wise woman.”
3. Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween.
4. The owl is a popular Halloween image. In Medieval Europe, owls were thought to be witches, and to hear an owl’s call meant someone was about to die.
5. The largest pumpkin ever measured was grown by Norm Craven, who broke the world record in 1993 with an 836 lb. pumpkin.
6. Trick-or-treating evolved from the ancient Celtic tradition of putting out treats and food to placate spirits who roamed the streets at Samhain, a sacred festival that marked the end of the Celtic calendar year.
7. There’s a $1,000 fine for using or selling Silly String in Hollywood on Halloween.
8. Candy Corn was originally called “chicken feed.”
9. Many animal shelters do not allow black cats to be adopted on Halloween for fear they may be tortured or sacrificed.
10. Happy birthday to Christopher Columbus, Vanilla Ice, Dermot Mulroney, Willow Smith and Justin Chatwin on Halloween!