15 Crazy Halloween Facts

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Halloween is one of the most beloved holidays of the world, but most people don't even know how it began or why it's celebrated! Check out these 15 crazy Halloween facts to find out why we celebrate Halloween, how jack-o-lanterns came into existence, how heavy the biggest pumpkin in the world weighed, and more below!

1. Halloween has been celebrated for over 6,000 years! It is thought to have originated around 4,000 B.C.E., and since then, has become one of the most celebrated holidays in the world.
2. Halloween hasn't always been called Halloween. It's gone by several names, like Samhain, All Hallow's Eve, Witches' Night, Snap-Apple Night, and even Summer's End.
3. Halloween began as a Celtic festival for the dead called "Samhain". People at the time believed that Samhain was the day of the dead and that spirits would roam the earth. They would dress as ghosts and demons and leave "treats" on their front porch for the spirits so that they wouldn't be haunted.
4. The Jack-o-Lantern was also started in Ireland, based on the story of the ghost of Stingy Jack. Irish people carved terrifying faces into pumpkins, potatoes, beets, and turnips to scare Stingy Jack and other spirits away from their homes on Halloween.
5. The biggest pumpkin in recorded history weighed over 2,624.6 lbs. That's one big jack-o-lantern!
6. In the Middle Ages, it was customary for trick-or-treaters to have to sing or dance in order to receive their treats. This was a practice known as "mumming" and is still practiced in some parts of Europe!
7. This year, Americans are projected to spend over $618 million on pumpkins alone!
8. Americans spend over $6 billion on Halloween annually, coming in second place to Christmas as the most commercial holiday in the United States.
9. Halloween candy can last a lot longer than you'd think! Chocolates can last up to two years if stored in a dry area, and hard candy can last up to a year. Thankfully, you won't have to eat all of your candy in one day!
10. Halloween is the sweetest holiday of the year. Chocolate sold on Halloween doubles the amount sold on Valentine's day. In fact, over $1.9 billion a year is spent on Halloween candy alone in the United States!
11. Black and orange, the main colors of Halloween, both have symbolic meaning. Orange stands for the strength and endurance of autumn, while black symbolizes death and darkness, paying tribute to Halloween's origin as the day of the dead.
12. In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1st instead of October 31st. Participants dress up like the dead and parade down the street in honor of those that have passed on to the next life.
13. The Lantern Festival in China is celebrated to commemorate Halloween. Lanterns shaped like dragons are hung throughout streets to guide spirits back to their homes, and families typically leave food and water by their ancestors' portraits to welcome them for the evening.
14. According to Safe Kids America, children are twice as likely to be involved in car accidents during Halloween. If you're going out, make sure to teach your children about street safety and keep an eye out for vehicles on the road!
15. It is extremely rare for Halloween to occur during a full moon. The next full moon Halloween will take place on 10/31/2020.

Now that you've read these 15 crazy Halloween facts, you'll probably have a newfound appreciation for the spookiest holiday of the year! If you have a hunger for all things Halloween, follow our Pinterest page for DIY projects, Halloween recipes, and plenty of other exciting seasonal activities! While you're out and about gathering supplies for your costume or decorations for your home, make sure your vehicle is able to take on the changing temperatures with our Fall Car Care guide. Need to have something looked at? Schedule an inspection with us today to have your vehicle ready to go before the trick-or-treating begins!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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