Halloween Classics

• Question 1 out of 9

  What vegetable was originally used instead of pumpkins to carve jack-o’-lanterns?

  In Ireland and Scotland, turnips were hollowed out to ward off evil spirits before pumpkins became the American favorite.

  Apples

  Turnips

  Squash

  Potatoes

  You must select an answer before proceeding to the next question.

  Submit Answer
• Question 2 out of 9

  Halloween’s roots trace back to which ancient Celtic festival?

  Celebrated over 2,000 years ago, Samhain marked the end of harvest season and the start of winter—when the Celts believed the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest.

  Beltane

  Samhain

  Lughnasadh

  Imbolc

  You must select an answer before proceeding to the next question.

  Submit Answer
• Question 3 out of 9

  What Christian observance helped transform Samhain into Halloween?

  When Christianity spread to Celtic lands, the Church placed All Saints’ Day on November 1, turning the night before into All Hallows’ Eve—which evolved into “Halloween.”

  All Hallows’ Eve

  Lent

  Epiphany

  Pentecost

  You must select an answer before proceeding to the next question.

  Submit Answer
• Question 4 out of 9

  In medieval Europe, what did poor people exchange prayers for during “souling”?

  People went door to door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for small cakes—an early version of today’s trick-or-treating.

  Coins

  Candles

  Soul cakes

  Apples

  You must select an answer before proceeding to the next question.

  Submit Answer
• Question 5 out of 9

  Which immigrant group brought Halloween to the United States in the 19th century?

  Irish immigrants fleeing the potato famine popularized Halloween in America, bringing with them folklore about ghosts, fairies, and jack-o’-lanterns.

  Italians

  Germans

  Irish

  Dutch

  You must select an answer before proceeding to the next question.

  Submit Answer
• Question 6 out of 9

  The name “jack-o’-lantern” comes from an old Irish folktale about whom?

  The tale tells of a trickster who fooled the devil and was doomed to roam the Earth with only a glowing coal inside a carved turnip.

  Lazy Jack

  Stingy Jack

  Lucky Jack

  Clever Jack

  You must select an answer before proceeding to the next question.

  Submit Answer
• Question 7 out of 9

  What major event in U.S. history caused Halloween candy giving to surge in popularity?

  After WWII sugar rations ended, candy companies promoted Halloween sweets to the booming population of post-war children.

  World War I

  The Great Depression

  World War II

  The Baby Boom

  You must select an answer before proceeding to the next question.

  Submit Answer
• Question 8 out of 9

  The phrase “trick or treat” first appeared in print in which country?

  The term appeared in a 1927 Alberta newspaper article describing children going door to door demanding treats or threatening mischief.

  United States

  Canada

  Ireland

  England

  You must select an answer before proceeding to the next question.

  Submit Answer
• Question 9 out of 9

  In 1958, which classic TV series aired one of the first family-friendly Halloween specials?

  The episode “The Haunted House” captured the innocent fun of Halloween, paving the way for decades of themed television specials.

  The Twilight Zone

  I Love Lucy

  The Donna Reed Show

  Leave It to Beaver

  You must select an answer before proceeding to the next question.

  Submit Answer