1. HALLOWEEN: a brief hISTORY

2. How did halloween begin? There are many variations on the history of Halloween, but it's generally believed that Halloween dates as far back as 700 B.C. to the Celts (pronounced “KELTS”), a rural society in northern England, Ireland and Scotland. There are many variations on the history of Halloween, but it's generally believed that Halloween dates as far back as 700 B.C. to the Celts (pronounced “KELTS”), a rural society in northern England, Ireland and Scotland. On November 1, the first day of their new year, the Celts celebrated a festival called Samhain (pronounced "sow- in"). On November 1, the first day of their new year, the Celts celebrated a festival called Samhain (pronounced "sow- in").

3. samhain Because it was the end of one year and the start of another, the Celts believed that past and present were closely linked, allowing ancestral spirits to join them, so Samhain was also thought to be a day of the dead. Because it was the end of one year and the start of another, the Celts believed that past and present were closely linked, allowing ancestral spirits to join them, so Samhain was also thought to be a day of the dead. On the eve of Samhain, October 31, the Celts dressed in costume, lit bonfires, and offered food and drink to masked partiers. Many say the costumes and fires were used to drive away the spirits, and the food given to comfort the dead. On the eve of Samhain, October 31, the Celts dressed in costume, lit bonfires, and offered food and drink to masked partiers. Many say the costumes and fires were used to drive away the spirits, and the food given to comfort the dead.

4. How did samhain become halloween? October 31 came to be called Halloween when Christians conquered England, Ireland, and Scotland October 31 came to be called Halloween when Christians conquered England, Ireland, and Scotland Samhain was so popular and well-known, the new Christian rulers were not able to stop the pagan ritual Samhain was so popular and well-known, the new Christian rulers were not able to stop the pagan ritual The Christians turned Samhain into a day to celebrate saints who had no day of their own. The night before All Saints Day, or All Hallow’s Eve, was later shortened to Halloween The Christians turned Samhain into a day to celebrate saints who had no day of their own. The night before All Saints Day, or All Hallow’s Eve, was later shortened to Halloween

5. What are jack-o-lanterns? Jack-o-Lanterns trace back to an old Irish tale about a man named Stingy Jack. Unable to enter Heaven because of his stingy ways and turned away by the Devil, Stingy Jack wandered the world, searching for a resting place. Jack-o-Lanterns trace back to an old Irish tale about a man named Stingy Jack. Unable to enter Heaven because of his stingy ways and turned away by the Devil, Stingy Jack wandered the world, searching for a resting place. To light his way, Stingy Jack used a burning coal in a hollowed out turnip -- hence the name "jack-o- lantern." To light his way, Stingy Jack used a burning coal in a hollowed out turnip -- hence the name "jack-o- lantern." The first jack-o-lanterns, in fact, were carved out of turnips. Only when the Irish tradition reached America did turnip carving turn into pumpkin carving. The first jack-o-lanterns, in fact, were carved out of turnips. Only when the Irish tradition reached America did turnip carving turn into pumpkin carving.

6. Why orange and black? Orange and black became Halloween colors because the color orange is associated with harvests, and black is associated with death. Orange and black became Halloween colors because the color orange is associated with harvests, and black is associated with death.

7. How did it get here? Halloween was brought to the United States by Irish immigrants fleeing the potato famine in Ireland Halloween was brought to the United States by Irish immigrants fleeing the potato famine in Ireland On Halloween, Irish peasants begged the rich for food and played practical jokes on those who refused. To avoid being tricked, the rich handed out cookies, candies, and fruit - a practice that turned into our present day trick-or-treating On Halloween, Irish peasants begged the rich for food and played practical jokes on those who refused. To avoid being tricked, the rich handed out cookies, candies, and fruit - a practice that turned into our present day trick-or-treating

8. Halloween fun facts There were an estimated 41 million potential trick or treaters in 2010. This number is really just an estimate from the 2010 U.S. Census of children aged 5 to 14 in the United States – that’s a lot of candy! There were an estimated 41 million potential trick or treaters in 2010. This number is really just an estimate from the 2010 U.S. Census of children aged 5 to 14 in the United States – that’s a lot of candy!

9. More fun facts About 1.1 billion pounds of pumpkins were grown in 2010. The state of Illinois was responsible for over a third of this production. California, Ohio, and New York collectively produced another third of these pumpkins. How heavy are all these pumpkins? 1.1 billion pounds is equivalent to the weight of over 183 thousand elephants About 1.1 billion pounds of pumpkins were grown in 2010. The state of Illinois was responsible for over a third of this production. California, Ohio, and New York collectively produced another third of these pumpkins. How heavy are all these pumpkins? 1.1 billion pounds is equivalent to the weight of over 183 thousand elephantsbillion

10. Whether you choose to celebrate Halloween or not, it’s fun to know the facts! Whether you choose to celebrate Halloween or not, it’s fun to know the facts! Remember to be safe! Remember to be safe!

11. sources www.care2.com/gates/holidays/hall oween/halloween.html www.care2.com/gates/holidays/hall oween/halloween.html www.care2.com/gates/holidays/hall oween/halloween.html www.care2.com/gates/holidays/hall oween/halloween.html http://www.britannica.com/EBcheck ed/topic/520460/Samhain http://www.britannica.com/EBcheck ed/topic/520460/Samhain http://www.britannica.com/EBcheck ed/topic/520460/Samhain http://www.britannica.com/EBcheck ed/topic/520460/Samhain http://statistics.about.com/od/Appli cations/a/Halloween-Statistics- 2011.htm http://statistics.about.com/od/Appli cations/a/Halloween-Statistics- 2011.htm