Happy Halloween! How Jack O’Lanterns Originated in Irish Myth

Happy Halloween!

History.com reminds us of the origins of the jack o’ lantern in the United States:

“Pumpkins with ghoulish faces and illuminated by candles are a sure sign of the Halloween season. The practice of decorating jack-o’-lanterns originated in Ireland, where large turnips and potatoes served as early canvasses. In fact, the name, jack-o’-lantern, comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack. Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America, home of the pumpkin, and it became an integral part of Halloween festivities.”

KJ