1

Ancient roots

Image: Miguel Teirlinck

Believe it or not, what we call Halloween began more than 2,000 years ago. The ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, held from October 31 to November 1 in what is now Ireland, Scotland, and parts of Britain, marked the shift from the harvest season to the dark days of winter. The Celts believed that, on that night, the boundary between the living and the dead grew dangerously thin. Spirits could slip through that barrier... both benevolent and darker ones.

2

Why scary costumes?

Image: JOHN BEARBY IMAGES

If the spirits of the dead were roaming the earth, what would you do? The Celts had a clever solution: they disguised themselves with animal skins and masks to look frightening and protect themselves from any spirits that might not have the best intentions. The hope was that ghosts would either mistake them for one of their own or be scared off entirely. Over time, the tradition evolved, but its roots remained; just look at all the little witches, skeletons, and other spooky costumes we see on Halloween today.

3

There's a reason for black and orange

Image: Gary Fultz

Orange and black take over homes and streets every Halloween, but why? The answer goes back to the Celtic festival of Samhain as well. Orange symbolized the end of autumn and fallen leaves, while black represented the darkness of the long winter nights ahead.

4

Witches weren’t always seen as scary

Image: Halanna Halila

Witches have been part of Halloween lore for ages. Countless stories cast them as spooky figures with flying broomsticks, pointed hats, and bubbling potions. But it wasn’t always this way. Among the Celts, many practices now labeled as "witchcraft" were connected to healing, spirituality, and nature, and weren’t seen as evil at all; that association came much later with the spread of Christianity. In fact, the English word "witch" is often linked to the Old English wicca (masculine) and wicce (feminine), meaning "wise one."

5

Trick-or-treating origins

Image: Robin Jonathan Deutsch

In addition to dressing up to protect themselves, the Celts also left treats on their doorsteps to appease wandering spirits. Over the centuries, that custom changed and spread. By medieval times in Europe, people—especially children—would go door to door during this season, offering prayers for departed souls or performing small songs and jokes in exchange for food or treats. This tradition, known as "souling" or "guising," eventually inspired the trick-or-treating we know today.

6

Scary tricks

Image: Nick Fewings

In the recent past, the "tricks" in trick-or-treating were no joke—they could be genuinely frightening. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Halloween was known far more for mischief than for candy. Kids pulled off pranks like tying doors shut or slamming windows to make homeowners think their houses were haunted. Scary? Yes. Fun? Definitely.

7

In the past, they weren't pumpkins

Image: Igor Omilaev

Pumpkins may be the stars of Halloween décor today, but they weren’t always the first pick. The tradition of carving Halloween lanterns also began in Ireland and Scotland, but not with pumpkins. In the old days, people carved turnips, beets, and other root vegetables. When Irish immigrants arrived in the United States in the 19th century, they found that pumpkins were bigger, softer, and far easier to carve, so pumpkins quickly replaced the turnips.

8

Halloween, SC

Image: Joseph Corl

Today, Americans put a lot of effort into Halloween celebrations. But perhaps no one embraces it more than the residents of Conway, SC, who made headlines for a bold decision. In 2022, the city officially adopted the monikers "City of Halloween" and "Halloween, SC" for the month of October. Although "Conway" remains its legal name year-round, the town uses the spooky nickname during the holiday season to attract visitors eager to experience its larger-than-life celebrations and decorations.

9

Parents also have their "tricks"

Image: Tolgahan Akbulut

Although trick-or-treating is mostly for kids, parents definitely get in on the fun. According to a 2019 survey, 74% of parents admitted to stealing a few pieces of their children’s candy. And honestly, who can blame them? A pumpkin bucket overflowing with sweets is hard to resist.

10

Paranormal full moon

Image: Ganapathy Kumar

Celebrating Halloween under a full moon has a special charm, as that lunar phase has long been linked to heightened paranormal activity. But this coincidence is rare: a full moon on Halloween only happens about every 18–19 years. The last full moon during Halloween was in 2020, and according to forecasts, we won’t see another until 2039.

1

History

Image: Christian Linnemann

Let’s start from the very beginning: in 1926, almost 100 years ago, Route 66 was established, covering a total of 2,448 miles. It was one of the original highways built under the then-new Numbered Highway System (also known as the "Federal Highways").

The route famously started in Chicago, Illinois, and stretched all the way to Santa Monica, California, passing through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. At the time, Route 66 proved to be a quick and easy way to get to the western part of the country, which logically led to an increase in its popularity.

2

Landmarks

Image: Mick Haupt

If you find yourself driving along the 2,448 miles that make up Route 66, you’ll certainly come across a fair share of outstanding landmarks, including American icons like the St. Louis Gateway Arch or the Santa Monica Pier. Not only that, you might want to explore some natural wonders, such as a 50,000-year-old meteor crater located in the heart of Arizona.

However, if you're more interested in landmarks focused on unusual or outlandish topics, there are plenty of roadside attractions worth visiting . For instance, you might want to stop for a few hours in San Bernardino, California, to visit the original McDonald’s location, now turned into a museum.

3

One end of the road…

Image: Arnaud STECKLE

As we mentioned before, Route 66 is too long for us to include every single state it crosses in this article. However, we still felt the need to pay a small tribute to the two ends that "America’s Main Street" was built to connect. With that in mind, let’s start with Chicago, the easternmost point of Route 66.

Originally, Route 66 was commissioned as a quicker way to get from Chicago to Los Angeles in response to the large increase in car ownership that occurred in the 1920s. Route 66 shortened the distance between these two cities by 200 miles, providing an easy-to-follow route for millions of Americans.

4

…followed by the other end.

Image: Rocio Abrego

According to a popular saying, "All good things must come to an end," and the gorgeous west end of Route 66 is a living testament to this phrase. The "City of Angels" truly doesn’t need an introduction. In that sense, can you think of a more welcoming image than the warm California sun greeting drivers at the final stop of Route 66?

Interestingly, nowadays Route 66 ends in the equally gorgeous city of Santa Monica, located in Los Angeles County. In any case, the way the U.S. Route 66 Highway Association described the highway during its construction still holds true, and Route 66 can still be described as the "most scenic route from Chicago through St. Louis to Los Angeles ."

5

The "Father of Route 66"

Image: John Benitez

Nowadays, a route connecting Illinois and California seems almost logical, but at the time, it took the efforts of a visionary group of entrepreneurs to plan the construction of Route 66. Among them, one individual stands out, known to history as " The Father of Route 66 ": an Oklahoma businessman named Cyrus Avery.

A resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Avery was truly a jack of all trades. Originally a school teacher, he went on to become a businessman, an insurance agent, and an oilman after founding the Avery Oil & Gas Company in 1904. In the 1920s, Avery was a member of the federal board appointed to create the Federal Highway System, where he rallied for the establishment of what we now know as Route 66.

6

Feel like walking?

Image: Capstone Events

Who said that only cars can enjoy Route 66? Certainly not Charles C. Pyle, a Route 66 Association member who, in 1928, launched an innovative campaign to promote the new highway: a foot race from Los Angeles to New York City.

With a distance of 3,400 miles, this gargantuan race had a suitably large prize: $25,000, which today would be just under $400,000. Nearly 300 racers crossed America, passing through Route 66 and several checkpoints along the highway. Ultimately, the race was won by a Cherokee citizen named Andy Payne, who finished the race in 573 hours.

7

Culture inspired by Route 66

Image: Jonathan Gong

It seems only logical that such an iconic route has inspired a plethora of songs, books, and paintings. Let’s take a moment to pay homage to some masterworks of American culture that celebrate everything Route 66 has to offer. Celebrated authors like John Steinbeck and Jack Kerouac have set their novels on the highway, with Steinbeck nicknaming Route 66 "the Mother Road."

Perhaps most famously, songwriter Bobby Troup wrote the song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" while traveling on the highway on a road trip across America. The song became a smash hit in 1946 after it was recorded by the Nat King Cole Trio, and it was subsequently covered by music legends like The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, and Bing Crosby.

8

Decommission

Image: Alejandro Luengo

In the 1950s, President Eisenhower sought to upgrade America’s highway system into a more modern network, comprising several new routes that connected all 50 states. In 1956, Eisenhower signed the Federal Interstate Act, unknowingly initiating a series of steps that would eventually lead to the end of Route 66 .

After several decades, Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t travel through most of it. Nearly 85% of the original highway is still drivable, with many signs marking where the original route once stood.

9

Route 66 State Park

Image: Federico Lancellotti

As we mentioned before, there are plenty of spectacular landscapes to explore along Route 66 if you’re a fan of nature. With that in mind, did you know there’s a state park in Missouri named after Route 66?

Route 66 State Park is located at the site of the former town of Times Beach, Missouri, along the Meramec River. In addition to offering beautiful views and hiking trails, visitors might also enjoy seeing the old Route 66 bridge, which is currently undergoing restoration.

10

The music of the road

Image: Miguel Alcântara

We’ll end this article with a Route 66 fact you might not know. Route 66 has inspired many iconic songs, but did you know that a small part of Route 66 actually plays music on its own?

To encourage drivers to stick to the 45-mile-per-hour speed limit, the New Mexico Department of Transportation came up with a rather ingenious idea: by placing rumble strips at strategic points, cars driving under the speed limit will play " America the Beautiful "!

1

Most Big Mac burgers eaten in a lifetime

Image: amirali mirhashemian

Sure, we all enjoy a delicious burger every now and then, but 34,000? That's the total number of Big Macs a 70-year-old retired prison officer from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, has consumed in his lifetime. Recently, after eating 728 more burgers throughout 2023, Donald Gorske has extended his world record.

On May 17, 1972, Gorske had his first Big Mac and from then on, he never stopped. Every day, he skips breakfast and goes straight for one burger at lunch and one at dinner, accompanied by fries or fruit. Gorske said he used to drive to McDonald's every day, but since retiring, he buys the burgers twice a week in batches and then heats them up in the microwave. What about you? If you had to choose just one food to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?

2

Farthest distance to blow a pea

Image: Elena Leya

Some use the power of their lungs to run marathons, while others use it to break curious world records. On October 8, 2022, David Rush set out to accomplish a feat that, while unusual, required great precision and breathing control: the greatest distance traveled by a blown pea.

With a mixture of concentration and dexterity, Rush managed to blow a single green pea an impressive 84 feet, 11 inches. What makes this record even more remarkable is that he achieved this distance with a single breath. This accomplishment is just one more in the extensive list of Guinness World Records that the Boise, Idaho, resident has achieved in his lifetime; in fact, in August 2024, Rush became the world's top record breaker with 181 titles.

3

Largest collection of teddy bears

Image: MirelaSchenk

Not long ago, an American woman named Jackie Miley held the title for the largest collection of teddy bears. In her home in Rapid City, South Dakota, Jackie zealously guarded more than 8,000 teddy bears. The collection consisted of at least one bear representing each of the U.S. states and 29 different countries. She got her first bear during a vacation in 2000, and it wasn't until she reached 3,000 bears that she contacted Guinness World Records.

Unfortunately for Jackie, her record was beaten in 2019 by a Hungarian woman named Istvánné Arnóczki, who owns a total of 20,367 teddy bears. However, as far as stuffed animals go, the United States remains on the podium. In 2024, a 27-year-old from Mascoutah, Illinois, entered the Guinness World Records for having an impressive collection of 1,523 Squishmallows, a brand of stuffed toy launched in 2017 that boasts 3,000 different styles.

4

Longest birthday

Image: jarmoluk

Many of us wish our birthdays lasted a little longer than just 24 hours. Well, one young Hawaii native made that dream come true. On February 3, 2018, Paul Morgan celebrated his 28th birthday in a totally original way: by making it the longest birthday ever recorded. But how did he do it? He simply took advantage of the difference in time zones around the world! In doing so, he extended his special day to a total of 48 hours, breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest birthday in history.

Morgan began his epic celebration in Apia, Samoa, one of the first places in the world to welcome each new day. From there, he flew to Auckland, New Zealand, before heading to Los Angeles, and finally landing in Kauai, Hawaii. This carefully planned trip allowed him to cross several time zones and extend his birthday to twice as long as normal. Clever, huh?

5

Most candles on a cake

Image: Tim Cooper

And if we talk about birthdays, we can't miss cake! As we get older, candles multiply, but you'll never guess what the largest number of candles on a cake ever recorded is. In 2016, members of the Sri Chinmoy Center in New York, an Eastern philosophy spiritual group, achieved the world record for the most candles lit on a birthday cake.

They burned 72,585 candles for 40 seconds on a huge cake measuring 80.5 feet long and 2 feet wide. It took 100 volunteers to light them and a couple of fire extinguishers to put them out safely. We are not sure if the attendees were able to eat the delicious vanilla mousse sponge cake after such a blaze, but the video of the feat can be seen on YouTube. As of today, it has already been viewed by more than 220,000 people!

6

Most tricks performed by a cow in one minute

Image: leppäkerttu

It's not just humans who break world records, animals do too! In March 2023, a four-year-old Charolais cow named Ghost broke a Guinness World Record by performing 10 tricks in just one minute. This record, which might seem more fitting for a dog or a horse, is the sole merit of her owner’s ingenuity, Nebraskan Megan Reimann, who applied horse training techniques, such as positive reinforcement, to teach her a series of amazing skills.

Among Ghost’s incredible talents are her ability to come when called, turn, nod her head, give kisses, and even bow—all in just 60 seconds. The success of the "world's smartest cow" is not only a testament to her intelligence but also to the potential all animals have to learn and perform exceptional feats.

7

Highest number counted out loud

Image: Mishelved

This Guinness World Record is probably the exact opposite of counting sheep to sleep. In the summer of 2007, a resident of Birmingham, Alabama, named Jeremy Harper embarked on a feat that would test both his physical and mental endurance: counting out loud to the number one million without leaving his apartment.

For four months in a row, Harper live-streamed his quest on YouTube, capturing an audience of thousands around the world who tuned in to watch him recite more than 11,000 numbers a day. After 89 long days without breaks, sunlight, or privacy, Harper finally reached his goal and set the Guinness World Record for the highest number ever counted out loud.

8

Most bobby pins in a beard

Image: Alf van Beem, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Surely, when San Francisco-based cosmetics manufacturer Luis Marcus invented bobby pins in the early 20th century, he never imagined that a hundred years later they would be part of a world record. On July 21, 2021, Dean Banowetz, a California hairstylist, set out to accomplish a feat few would have imagined: placing the most bobby pins in a beard.

With precision and dedication, Banowetz managed to attach a total of 4,831 bobby pins to his own beard, surpassing all expectations and setting a unique world record. This stylist, who was already known as the Hollywood Hair Guy, proved that his skill goes beyond traditional hairdressing techniques, exploring the creative potential of something as simple as a bobby pin.

9

Heaviest kale

Image: Monika Borys

If humans and animals can break world records, why can't the vegetable world do it too? In August 2007, Scott Robb, a horticulturist from Palmer, Alaska, presented a kale at the State Fair that left everyone open-mouthed with its colossal size: 105 pounds, 14.5 ounces.

This achievement was no fluke but the result of years of perfecting farming techniques and a passion for growing giant vegetables. Robb is no stranger to the world of horticultural records; he also holds titles for growing the heaviest turnip (39.2 pounds), the heaviest kohlrabi (nearly 97 pounds), and the heaviest green cabbage (138.25 pounds). Robb's dedication has made Palmer, Alaska, a benchmark for gardening enthusiasts and Guinness World Records.

10

Largest hands and feet on a living teenager

Image: KlausHausmann

Eric Kilburn Jr., a 16-year-old from Michigan, has stamped his footprint in the 2025 Guinness World Records book—literally! With feet measuring 13.50 inches and hands just over 7.4 inches, Eric holds the title of "largest hands and feet on a teenager".

His shoe size is an impressive 23 American , while the average for an adult male typically ranges from 8.5 to 9. Before he rose to fame, his mother faced challenges having to get shoes custom-made for him; they cost more than US$ 1,500 a pair. Fortunately, after Eric’s story went viral, brands like Puma and Under Armour offered him custom shoes.