Fascinating Facts Legends & Myths About Halloween

Posted on October 7, 2009 by coolrain44

halloween-blkcat-blue-moonFor centuries Halloween has had it’s share of folklore, mystery and deep-rooted tradition.  However, I bet there are a few things about the celebration that you may not have known about. Here are a few fascinating facts and legends as well as a few myths associated with Halloween that you may not have necessarily been aware of…..october31-calendar

  • Halloween is historically and traditionally celebrated on October 31st.

  • Halloween is one of the oldest celebrations in the world, dating back over 2000 years to the time of the Celts who lived in Britain.halloween-jackolantern
  • Halloween is also known by a few other names…

* All Hallow’s Eve
* Samhain
* All Hallowtide
* The Feast of the Dead
* The Day of the Dead

  • About 99% of pumpkins marketed domestically are used as Jack O’Lanterns at Halloween.3jack-o-lanterns
  • In the United States, 65% of Americans decorate their homes for Halloween.
  • halloween-candyMore candy is sold just prior to Halloween than any other holiday during the year. Halloween also ranks second, in terms of total sales, just behind Christmas… which has $$$ dancing into merchants cash registers.Houdini
  • Legendary magician Harry Houdini died in Detroit of gangrene and peritonitis resulting from a ruptured appendix on Halloween in 1926.
  • Did you know that in the dictionary there are no words that rhyme with orange?
  • halloween-cartoon-costumesThe tradition of “Trick or Treating” is believed to have originated in Ireland. In preparation for All Hallow’s Eve, Irish townsfolk would visit neighbors and ask for contributions of food for a feast in the town.halloween-movie-michael-myers
  • The original 1978 Halloween film classic directed by John Carpenter cost just $320,000 to produce, however it ended up making over $50 million at the box office worldwide.
  • People have believed for centuries that light keeps away ghosts and ghouls. Making a pumpkin lantern with a candle inside is suppose keep you safe from all the restless spirits flying around on Halloween.
  • Halloween traditionally is correctly spelled ….. Hallowe’en.
  • When Christianity came to England and the rest of Europe, November 1st became known as “All Saints Day” – a day dedicated to all those saints who didn’t have a special day of their own. They performed a mass called “All hallows mass”. The night before became known as “All Hallows E’en” (translated in America as “All Hallow’s Eve”) and eventually became Hallowe’en or Halloween.

    • halloween-costume-parade

  • When the Romans conquered England, they merged ‘Samhain’ with their own festivals, a harvest festival called ‘Poloma’, and a celebration for the dead called ‘Feralia’.
  • In Mexico, as well as several other Latin American countries, they celebrate ‘El Dia de los Muertos’ or the Day of the Dead starting on the evening of October 31.

    • dia_de_los_muertos.lg

  • It is thought that the colors, orange and black, became Halloween colors because orange is associated with harvests (Halloween marks the end of harvest) and black is associated with death.black-cat
  • Black cats were originally believed to protect witches’ powers from ‘negative forces’.
  • A pumpkin is really a squash, and comes from the same family as the cucumber.
  • The biggest pumpkin in the world tipped the scales at a whopping 1,446 pounds. This biggest-pumpkingigantic gourd was weighed in October 2004 at a pumpkin festival in Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada.
  • The record for the fastest pumpkin carver in the world is Jerry Ayers of Baltimore, Ohio. He carved a pumpkin in just 37 seconds!
  • The very first jack o’ lantern was made out of hollowed out turnips.spiderandweb
  • Folklore has it that ringing a bell scares away evil spirits.
  • Legend claims that if you see a spider on this particular night, it could be the spirit of a deceased loved one who is watching over you.
  • Another folklore tale states that if you care to encounter a witch, put halloween-witch-on-broomyour clothes on inside out and walk backwards on Halloween night.
  • Supposedly if your pumpkin lantern shrivels up, you can restore it by soaking it in water overnight to re-hydrate it.

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Here are a couple more Halloween related posts (links) from this blog:

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Here’s another fun and informative post on Thanksgiving:

Filed under: Did You Know?, Facts & Figures, Fun Stuff, Holidays & Celebrations | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

10 Fast Facts About Indian Casinos & Tribal Land

Posted on August 24, 2009 by coolrain44

Here are a few fast facts about Native American tribal gaming and Indian Casinos in the United dreamcatcherStates as well as tribal land and reservation issues:

  • Tribes receive $4 of every $10 that Americans wager at casinos.
  • Indian casinos earn $26.7 billion in 2008 revenues.
  • There are 425 Indian gaming facilities operating in the US and growing fast.
  • 240 tribes operate casinos in the US.
  • Indian gaming operates in 28 states.
  • Indian gaming provides 346,000 jobs and pays $11.2 billion in wages.
  • Indian gaming pays $1.3 billion in taxes to federal, state, local governments.
  • Indian casinos and Native Americans living on reservations are not required to pay state taxes as long as they make their money on tribal lands. The federal government can tax individual Indians, but not tribal government revenues.
  • Sovereign status exempts tribal members from paying state income tax if they live and work on the reservation, but they still must pay federal income tax.
  • The biggest impact for tribal members and for the tribe at large is that their land can be placed in trust, meaning that it is not subject to property tax.

Source: National Indian Gaming Commission http://www.nigc.gov

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Indian Casinos of California

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Ultimate Web Resource Directory

Posted on July 25, 2009 by coolrain44

globe_in_flat_screen_monitorThis post has been a huge endeavor – Over 200 Entries – and features links to important information and resources for highly searched subjects as well as issues concerning consumer safety, emergency preparedness, medical help,child care, pet care, travel, entertainment, internet related help, government resources, economy minded sites, coupons, do-it-yourself tutorials, consumer reports, school resources, real estate, lots of reference sites to many different subjects, and the list goes on ….. Many of the referral sites are FREE while others are CHEAP. I’ve visited about 95% of the sites listed here at one time or another as I’ve been keeping track of some of the better or more interesting or informative ones. I’ve tried to avoid sites with too much interference of annoying ads or ramblings away from the subject initially sought after.

Lots of FREE information located within this directory

that could save you plenty of money, lots of time,

and probably some stress too!


 

Air Quality –

Airline & Vacation Package Discounts –

Airline Directory/Locator (International) – 

Airport Directory/Guide (International) –

Alternative Medicine –

AMTRAK Schedule & Information –

Amusement Parks/Theme Park/Water Parks Directory –

Antiques & Collectibles – Value/Price Guide

Apartment Rentals Nationwide –

Auctions & Marketplaces To Buy/Sell Online –

Auto Insurance Comparisons –

Auto Repair Directory/Locator –

Auto Repair Manuals (Online Resource) –

Auto Safety – Government Site –

Baby/Infant Care –

Baby Names/Meanings –

Bartender Guide To Drinks –

Blog Listing Directory/Locator

Blog: FREE Blog Sites

Book Reviews/Best Sellers

Book Stores: Independently-Owned Store Locator –

Bus Travel – Greyhound –

Bus Tours/Charters Directory –

Calendar/Scheduler/Customize – Perpetual (printable) –

Calorie Counter –

Campground & RV Park Directory –

Car Purchasing Online –

Car Buying Online + Reviews/Ratings –

Car Buyers Guide –

Car Values – Kelley Blue Book –

Casinos Online Directory/Reviews –

Celebrity Obituary Listings –

Celebrity Gossip/Online Tabloids  –

Cell Phone Directory FREE – 

Cell Phone Reviews –

Cheap Gas Locator –

Child Care Resources –

Children’s Activities & Projects Resource –

Classified Advertising Online –

Clip Art FREE Online –

Coffee Houses: Independently-Owned Store Locator –

Coin Exchange/Redemption Locator-

Cold & Flu Remedies –

College Textbooks (Buy/Sell) – CHEAP –

Computer/Internet Download Applications – FREE

Computer Spyware Detector & Eliminator – FREE & SAFE

Concert & Event Locator/Directory –

Consumer Complaints/Protection/Warranty – Federal Trade Commission –

Consumer Product Ratings & Reviews –

Consumer Safety/ Product Recall Lists –

Contractor Directory/Listings  –

Computer Repair Directory  –

Conversion Charts/Lists (For Almost Everything) –

Coupons Books for Entertainment & Dining Discounts –

Coupons for Groceries & Merchandise – FREE & Printable

Credit Card Search (Compare Before You Apply) –

Currency Converter – World Curency

Daily Almanac –

Debit Cards – Prepaid (Comparisons) – 

Dentist Directory –

Dictionary Online –

Diet Plans (Listings/Reviews) FREE  –

Directory Assistance FREE Phone Numbers (Free 411) –

DMV National Directory/Guide –

(for Driving Laws/Requirements/Education/Records/Traffic Schools)

Do-It-Yourself: Auto Repair –

Do-It-Yourself: Computer Repair –

Do-It-Yourself: Home Repair Projects (by category)

“Do Not Call” Registry –

Doctor/Physician Directory/Locator (by Specialty) –

Drug/Pill Reference Guide –

Earthquake Information & Recent Activity

Emergency National Hotlines –

Emergency Preparedness –

Encyclopedia Online –

Facts (in general) –

Fair & Event Directory (State/County/District/Regional) –

Farmer’s Almanac –

Fast Food & Restaurant Promotions/Discounts/Freebies

Fast Food Finder + Health & Nutrition Guide

Fire Information/National Logistical Support Center –

Fire – Cal Fire – California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection –

Flea Market & Swap Meet Directory –

Food & Drug Administration –

Food Poisoning –

FREE Stuff – Freebies Online –

Fruit & Vegetable Nutrition Guide –

Gardening Guide – 

Going Green

Gold & Silver Exchange Rates –

Government: FREE Information Source –

Government: FREE Publications & Resources –

Government Grants/Loans Directory & Guide –

Government Reference Guide –

Government – The White House –

Health Insurance/Health Care Plan  Comparisons –

Highway Travel Sources – 

Hippy Communes Directory Locator –

Home/House Insurance Company Comparisons –

Home Makeovers – HGTV

Home Solutions Using Alternative Products

Image/Picture Search Engine –

Identity Theft Resources –

Identity Theft Protection Service (Reviews/Ratings/Compare) –

Indian Casino Directory –

Internet Domain Registration Sites –

Internet On The Go – Wireless Internet Provider Info –

ISP: Internet Service Provider Directory –

ISP: Internet Service Provider Reviews –

Job/Employment Search Directory –

Jokes/Funnies Online –

Kids Health (All Issues About Growing Up) –

Learn To Draw Online –

Legal Forms Online FREE –

Legal Reference Directory/Law Guide –

Life Insurance Comparisons –

Make At Home Products

Maps Online

Marathon Listings/Schedule –

Master Card Global ATM Locator – 

Medical Dictionary/Encyclopedia –

Missing & Runaway Children/Teens  –

Movie & Theater Listings/Showtimes –

Movie Search & Reviews –

Movies Theaters: Independently-Owned Theater Locator –

Music Charts (American & International) –

Music Charts (Indie/International) –

Music Research/Song Information

National Parks –

Native American/Indian SuperSite (Tribes/Events/Casinos) –

Newspapers Online Directory (Worldwide) FREE –

Nutrition Facts/Understanding Food Labels –

Obituary Notices – Online Reference –

Online Free Games –

Parents Guide/Parenting –

Pawn Shop Directory/Locator –

Pet Care Resource –

Pet Pharmacy Online –

Phone: FREE 411 – Directory Assistance  –

Phone: FREE – Number Search/People/Business/Directory/Area Code/Zip Code –

Phone: FREE – Reverse Phone Look-Up –

Phone: FREE – Mobile Phone Information Services –

(including Traffic/Weather/Travel/Directions/Movies/News/Sports)

Phone: Toll Free Directory Assistance (800 Number Look-Ups) –

Phone Service – CHEAP – Internet-Based –

Photography Guide

Product Safety Recalls –

Public Records Directory –

Questions & Answers –

Radio Station Worldwide Locator –

Real Estate Finder/MLS Listings –

Recipes Online FREE –

Recycling Guide/Directory/Locator

Religion Facts & Comparisons  –

Reservations Online – Lodging –

Restaurant Directory/Locator –

Retirement Communities Directory/Locator

Road Conditions/Closures (National) –

Road Trip Travel Guide/Unusual Tourist Attractions –

Scam Checking/Reporting –

School Alumni/Reunions –

School Directory Nationwide –

Search Engine List/Directory –

Senior Services –

Slang Dictionary/Reference –

Social Networking Online / Listings-

Solar Energy

Sound F/X Directory –

Sports Almanac & Encyclopedia

Stocks

Stores That Accept Competitors Coupons –

Suicide Prevetion Hotline –

Summer Camp Directory/Locator

Swine Flu Info/Updates – (CDC) Center For Disease Control & Prevention –

Swine Flu Info/Updates – (WHO) World Health Organization –

Taxi Service Directory/Reservations Online (National) –

Teen Issues –

Texting Lingo Glossary –

Thrift Store Locator –

Tourism Information/Offices Directory (National/Worldwide) –

Trade School Directory –

Trade Show Directory –

Translator – Full Text/Web Page Translator

Travel Discount Reservations –

Travel Guides/Information Resource –

Travel Guides (Order Online/FREE by mail) –

Trivia & Fun Stuff –

Troubled Teens (Advice/Info) –

Truck Stop Directory/Locator FREE –

TV Online – Watch FREE –

TV Online – Watch FREE – Major Networks –

TV Program Schedules –

TV Reception Problems/DTV Info –

Urban Legends, Myths & Rumors –

Useless Information –

US Cities & Towns Profiled/Info –

Vegetarian Food Source

Video Game Cheats/Tips/Tricks –

Video Game System Repair –

Video Rentals CHEAP –

Video Sharing Sites Online –

VISA Global ATM Locator –

Vitamin Guide –

Weather Service/Forecasts –

Web Browsers Guide –

Web Image Hosting/Sharing Sites – FREE –

Websites: Domain & Hosting Sites –

Websites: FREE Domain & Hosting Sites –

WiFi Hot Spot Directory (National)  –

Wireless Internet Provider Information –

World Records –

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If you have any other ideas or suggestions to include here please comment below.

Filed under: Advice & Wisdom, FREEbies, Money Savers, Resource Directory | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »