Halloween is a highly unusual holiday celebrated on October 31 in English-speaking countries. It has its roots in ancient Scottish and Irish Celtic cultures. Despite not being an official holiday in our country, people here try to celebrate it in their own way.

1. Samhainophobia is a specific phobia of Halloween, named after the old name for Halloween.

2. One of the main symbols of Halloween is the pumpkin. It is a tribute to the tradition of the end of the harvest season. Originally, lanterns were made not from pumpkins, but from turnips.

3. In addition to pumpkins, black cats, spiders, bats, and owls are all significant symbols of Halloween. It is believed that cats, for example, have a special connection to the spirit world. And of course, where would we be without witchy attributes? Pointed black hats with wide brims, broomsticks, and the full moon.

4. Halloween traditionally revolves around two colors: black, representing death and the darkness of the night, and orange, symbolizing the harvest of the passing year.

5. The most common superstition on Halloween is that looking into a mirror at midnight will reveal your own death.

6. The tradition of trick-or-treating originated in the Middle Ages. Nowadays, children dress up and go door-to-door asking for treats, but in the past, it was done by the poor. They would go to wealthy people’s homes and ask for “soul cakes.“ If the homeowner gave them a treat, the poor would pray for their soul.

7. In the United States and English-speaking countries, Halloween is the second most profitable holiday after Christmas. People in these countries annually buy costumes, decorate their homes, purchase Halloween-related merchandise, and spend a lot of money on these activities.

8. The recognized capital of Halloween is the American city of Salem, Massachusetts. Salem has a bad reputation associated with witchcraft and murders. In the 17th century, extensive witch hunts and mass executions took place there. The eerie atmosphere of the city is maintained by both the local residents and the authorities, for tourism purposes, of course.

9. Children are twice as likely to die in car accidents on Halloween than on any other night.

10. The National Retail Federation in the United States calculates the amount of money Americans spend on Halloween each year. For example, in 2015, they spent $6.9 billion on holiday-related merchandise.

11. Americans love haunted houses – it is the most popular attraction during Halloween. Of course, such entertainment is safe, but it’s important to remember that the brain sends signals of protection or flight when confronted with horror. One girl even hit a woman who rose from a coffin out of fear.

12. On October 31, 1926, the great illusionist and magician, one of the most famous “wizards“ of the twentieth century, Harry Houdini, died, sparking a long debate about his connection to magic.

13. Halloween surpasses Valentine’s Day in candy sales. Every year, approximately $2 billion is spent on Halloween sweets alone.

14. Many Halloween traditions are actually of Catholic origin. For example, a pumpkin with carved features symbolizes a soul in purgatory.

15. Owls are a popular Halloween symbol. In medieval Europe, owls were mistaken for witches, and hearing an owl hoot meant that someone would soon die.

16. The world record for the fastest time to carve a face on a pumpkin is held by Stephen Clarke, who completed the task in 24.03 seconds, breaking his previous record of 54.72 seconds. According to the competition rules, the pumpkin must weigh less than 11 kg and be carved in the traditional manner, requiring at least eyes, a nose, ears, and a mouth.

17. It was believed that wearing clothes inside out and walking backward on Halloween night would allow one to see a witch.

18. A few days before Halloween, shelters in the United States do not adopt out cats, especially black ones, as people take them for rituals.

19. Scarecrows, a popular Halloween attribute, symbolize ancient agricultural ties to the holiday.

20. Halloween is believed to have originated around 4000 BC, making it over 6000 years old.