12. People Used To Think Cats Were Witches, So Threw Them In Fires
Cats have a long history with Halloween, established by a connection to witches and luck. In the middle ages Middle Ages many people believed that witches avoided detection by turning themselves into cats. It seems this has lead to the dont cross a cat for fear of bad luck though which cat is unluckily differs however, while white cats are bad luck in the UK its black cats that are unlucky in the US. Unfortunately, whether cats appreciate this attention is questionable as it is alleged that during the celebration of Samhain, Druids would throw cats into a fire, often in wicker cages, as part of a divination ritual.
11. Trick Or Treating Originated With Poor People Offering Prayers For Cakes
Trick-or-treating originated in the Middle Ages with All Souls Day, when poor people would beg for soul cakes, a sweet-bread, and pray for dead relatives in return. It has since spread to Canada, Australia and the United States. When trick-or-treating first became popular in the United States in the 1800s, more children played mischievous pranks than asked for candy but this trend has declined to its current state of hyped-up kids running around to get more sugar.
10. There's Multiple, International Versions Of Halloween
Halloween is in its own way international with different versions worldwide, some based on the traditional and others with their own similar origins. In Hong Kong they are known as Yue Lan or the 'Festival of the Hungry Ghosts' during which fires are lit and food and gifts are offered to placate potentially angry ghosts who might be looking for revenge. In China there is Teng Chieh or the Lantern Festival, in Mexico people celebrates the Dias de los Muertos (Days of the Dead) while in Brazil and El Salvador people practice Dia de Finados (Day of the Dead People). In Philippines Pangangaluluwa is practiced by people forming a group that will go house to house and offer a song in exchange for money or food, though the tradition seems to be on the decline.