BAY CITY, Mich. -- With Fall just around the corner, many of us here in the Mitten will no doubt be partaking in some seasonal activities! Things like bobbing for apples, pumpkin carving, and more have been around for ages - but have you ever wondered where they came from?
Graff Bay City is here to share with you the interesting histories behind some long-standing Fall traditions!
1. BOBBING FOR APPLES
You know the drill. Dunk your head into a bucket full of water and apples, hands behind your back, and try to grab one of them in your teeth. We're sure you've been to a Halloween party or two where this fun Fall game went on, but its origins are more related to romance than spookiness.
Bobbing for apples began in Britain as a courting ritual, during which a group of young girls would each the carve the name of their crush into an apple and were given three tries to catch it as it floated in a bucket of water. Snagging their apple on the first try meant "happily ever after", the second try meant a short fling would ensue, and the third try meant they would never marry (a little harsh, we think). Though it lost popularity with the British in the 1800s, it was revived in the American colonies as a party game during the harvest season rather than an archaic version of Love Connection.
2. CARVING PUMPKINS
As a kid, we bet one of the things you looked forward to the most when Fall rolled around was carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns. This tradition most popular around Halloween has its roots in the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, which dates back as far as the 1500s. Having been locked out of Heaven for being so mean to others in life as well as Hell due to a deal with the Devil, Stingy Jack was doomed to roam alone forever in the darkness of purgatory. To light his way, he hollowed out a turnip he kept in his pocket into a lantern and filled it with an ember the Devil had given him out of pity. Thus he became "Jack of the Lantern".
For years, kids in Ireland would carve turnips with their parents around Halloween, and those who emigrated to America took the tradition with them. It was here that they started using pumpkins, as they discovered that they were bigger and easier to carve.
3. CORNUCOPIA
Usually found on Thanksgiving tables as a centerpiece, the cornucopia originates from Greek mythology and Amalthea, the foster mother of Zeus who is closely associated with goats, and sometimes depicted as a goat. The story goes that Amalthea accidentally broke off one of her horns, and Zeus felt so bad that he worked his god-magic on the horn making it forever provide for her everything she wanted and needed. This is why the cornucopia is shaped like a horn and has long symbolized abundance and a plentiful harvest.
4. HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS
For many people, Halloween isn't just a day, it's a month-long celebration. In the days counting down to the spooky Fall holiday, part of that celebration involves getting the bejeezus scared out of them at a haunted house or several. The idea of an attraction designed specifically for scares has its roots in 19th century London when Madame Tussaud exhibited incredibly lifelike wax figures getting beheaded by a guillotine. However, it wasn't until Disneyland unveiled their famous Haunted Mansion ride in 1969 that haunted attractions became the mainstream phenomenon and seasonal essential that they are today.
5. BLACK FRIDAY
Officially the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday is a holiday in and of itself. But why do we brave the department stores every year to participate in this retail version of the Hunger Games? In the 1950s, the Philadelphia police force used the term to describe the day after Thanksgiving, when hordes of rowdy fans would show up in town for the annual Army-Navy football game held the following Saturday. Local retailers then decided to capitalize on this surge of potential customers by offering huge discounts on their merchandise, originally calling it "Big Friday", but the police term ended up being the one that stuck. By the 1980s, the day of sales became a nationwide occurrence.
6. MOVEMBER
Throughout the month of November, men all over the world grow out their facial hair in support of men's health. But where did "Movember" come from? In 1999, a group of guys in Australia came up with the idea to raise money for charity by growing out their mustaches for a whole month, and many other organizations had adopted the practice by 2003. Since then, the Movember Foundation has raised over $710 million to combat and raise awareness about health issues affecting men like testicular cancer, prostate cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.
7. ELECTION DAY
Ever wonder why Election Day is held in the Fall? Back when Congress designated an official Election Day in 1845, much of America was still largely agricultural and many people had to travel up to a day to reach their nearest voting precinct. In order to make sure farmers had enough time to cast their ballot, a two-day window had to be kept open, but they had to keep a couple things in mind. Sundays were for church, Wednesdays were when many farmers would go to market - so they settled on Tuesday. As for why it's in November, the month fell after the harvest and came before the snow.
8. DAY OF THE DEAD
Beginning on Halloween and running through November 2nd, the Day of the Dead (or "Dia de Los Muertos") is an annual Mexican tradition, originating from the country's indigenous tribes, that honors those who've passed on. Aspects of the tradition include leaving things that the deceased enjoyed in life, such as their favorite possessions and even food, on their grave. Another practice is leaving a trail of marigolds, a flower associated with death in Mexico, from the cemetery to the front door of the family home, as it is believed that the bright color and strong scent helps to guide the spirits of the dead back to their loved ones. The celebration is not exclusive to family members, however, as leftover food, as well as blankets and pillows, are left outside for spirits who may not have anyone to mourn them.
9. TRICK-OR-TREATING
When you think of Fall, you think of Halloween. When you think of Halloween, you think of trick-or-treating! This tradition originates from the Celtic practice of celebrating the end of the year by dressing up as evil spirits. The Celts believed that the realms of the living and the dead overlapped as the transition to the new year began, and thus also left the door to our world open to demons. Disguising oneself as one of these baddies from the underworld meant that you would be protected, which is why we dress up as all things spooky on this day.
As for why we go door to door asking for candy, that has its roots in the time when the Catholic Church converted the Celtic celebration from "Halloween" to "All Hallows Eve", and ordered that participants dress up as saints and angels rather than demons. Children would then go door to door asking for food or money in exchange for songs or prayers in the name of the dead, a practice called "souling". Over the years since then, both traditions have melded into what we now call "trick-or-treating".
10. MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE
Possibly one of the biggest events of the season, the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade actually started out as the Christmas Parade and was initially devised to build hype for the retailer's flagship store in Manhattan, which took up an entire block and was the self-proclaimed "World's Largest Store". The parade was such a hit, however, that they decided to host it every year, switching it to Thanksgiving Day in 1927.
What's your favorite Fall tradition? Feel free to share it with us! From all of us at Graff Bay City, we hope you have a spectacular season!
Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.
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