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Halloween - History, Facts, Origins, Myths and Traditions

Learn the origins of Halloween and other fun facts about Halloween -- history, traditions, spooky myths and superstitions debunked.

Related Topics: Ghosts, Experiments for Kids

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Top 10 most famous ghosts

By Benjamin Radford, Jonathan Gordon last updated 21 October 22

Ghosts are some of the most common figures of horror and morality tales in our history, but which ones stand out as the most significant?

Spooky blurry image of a skull against a black background.

13 disturbing Halloween horrors come to life

By Laura Geggel published 28 October 20

Here is the science behind 13 Halloween horrors come to life.

Kids dressed up as zombies for Halloween.

The history of Halloween

By Benjamin Radford published 19 October 20

Halloween has its roots in a pagan harvest festival, while different traditions were added throughout the years.

Five-year-old Reed Havlik has a rare brain condition called vanishing white matter disease. People with the condition are particularly vulnerable to stresses, including fright, that can worsen symptoms or even lead to death.

Boy's Rare Brain Condition Means He Could Be Literally Scared to Death

By Rachael Rettner published 31 October 18

Halloween frights are usually harmless, but not for five-year-old Reed Havlik: The boy has a rare brain condition that could cause him to be literally scared to death.

The Gruesome Stories Behind Famous Dead People's Long-Lost Body Parts (Photos)

By Laura Geggel published 31 October 18

Whatever happened to Albert Einstein's brain? Or Louis XIV's heart? These body parts, and countless other pieces of famous dead people, are not buried in places you'd expect.

How Fake Blood Is Made to Look So Real

By Katharine Gammon published 31 October 18

For Halloween, stage blood takes the spotlight and chemistry tricks can treat viewers.

In Photos: Eerie Zoo Animal Skeletons, in X-Rays

By Mindy Weisberger published 31 October 18

Are X-rays of animals gorgeous or creepy? Maybe a little of both.

Why Believing in Ghosts Can Make You a Better Person

By Tok Thompson, Sciences published 28 October 18

Ghost stories are often about the departed seeking justice for an earthly wrong. Their sightings are a reminder that ethics and morality transcend our lives.

Why Is Laughter Sometimes Scary?

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published 28 October 18

muahaha

No, The CDC Didn't Say You Can't Put Chickens in Halloween Costumes

By Sara G. Miller published 24 October 18

Happy Halloween, chickens!

Why Is it Fun to Be Frightened?

By Margee Kerr published 17 October 18

Visiting an extreme haunted house can be delightfully terrifying.

Yes, You Really Can 'Overdose' on Candy — or at Least One Type

By Sara G. Miller published 31 October 17

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a message for candy-lovers: "As it turns out, you really can overdose on candy — or, more precisely, black licorice."

13 Bizarre Mythical Monsters to Haunt Your Halloween

By Mindy Weisberger published 30 October 17

Traditional Halloween creatures — vampires, werewolves and killer clowns — may give you the shivers, but these mythic monsters from around the world are truly terrifying nightmare fuel.

An ADT blog reveals the most commonly searched phobias by state.

Clowns or Holes: What Is Your State Most Afraid Of?

By Jesse Emspak published 24 October 17

Allegedly, work done on the 1890 Croke-Patterson Mansion in Denver would be undone by morning.

The Scariest Places on Earth

By Andrea Mustain, Elizabeth Peterson published 31 October 16

Here are some of the creepiest, crawliest, most terrifying places on the planet.

The Anatomy of Fear (Infographic)

By Purch Creative Ops published 30 October 16

A scare can trigger cascading reactions throughout your body.

Scary Science: How Your Body Responds to Fear

By Mindy Weisberger published 30 October 16

What can science tell us about what happens in our brains and bodies when we're afraid?

The stories behind Halloween monsters ...

Halloween Monster Science (Infographic)

By Michael Reis published 29 October 16

Here's a look at the wild history of your favorite Halloween monsters, from vampires and zombies to ghosts and gargoyles.

Getting in Character: The Psychology Behind Cosplay

By Mindy Weisberger published 26 October 16

Cosplay ain't your typical Halloween costume.

Clown Sightings Not Always a Laughing Matter

By Mindy Weisberger published 27 September 16

In a growing list of states, people have unsettling tales to tell of enigmatic and downright sinister clown sightings.

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