Halloween and Autumn Observances

Samhain

1. 100 What month is Samhain the Irish and Scottish Gaelic name for? Response: November It is also the Irish and Scottish Gaelic name for November. Source: Wikipedia, “Samhain”
2. 200 When do Samhain celebrations begin? Response: the evening of 31 October Celebrations begin on the evening of 31 October, since the Celtic day began and ended at sunset. Source: Wikipedia, “Samhain”
3. 300 Samhain is one of four Gaelic seasonal festivals. Name the other three. Response: Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lughnasa It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals along with Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lughnasa. Source: Wikipedia, “Samhain”
4. 400 Samhain falls about halfway between which two points of the year? Response: about halfway between the autumnal equinox and winter solstice This is about halfway between the autumnal equinox and winter solstice. Source: Wikipedia, “Samhain”
5. 500 Where did Samhain historically originate? Response: Ireland Historically it originated in Ireland and it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Source: Wikipedia, “Samhain”

All Saints' Day

1. 100 Which Christian holy day honors all saints, known and unknown? Response: All Saints' Day All Saints' Day is a Christian holy day celebrated in honour of all the saints of the Church, whether they are known or unknown. Source: Wikipedia, “All Saints' Day”
2. 200 On which date do Western churches celebrate All Saints' Day? Response: November 1 In the 9th century, some churches in the British Isles began holding the commemoration of all saints on November 1, and in the 9th century this was extended to the whole Catholic Church by Pope Gregory IV. Source: Wikipedia, “All Saints' Day”
3. 300 Which 9th-century pope made All Saints' Day a feast of the whole Catholic Church? Response: Pope Gregory IV In the 9th century, some churches in the British Isles began holding the commemoration of all saints on November 1, and in the 9th century this was extended to the whole Catholic Church by Pope Gregory IV. Source: Wikipedia, “All Saints' Day”
4. 400 In Western churches, when does the All Saints' celebration begin and end? Response: the evening of October 31 through November 1 In the Western Christian practice, the liturgical celebration begins with its first vespers on the evening of October 31, All Hallows' Eve (All Saints' Eve or Hallowe'en), and ends at the compline of November 1. Source: Wikipedia, “All Saints' Day”
5. 500 When do Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate All Saints' Day? Response: the first Sunday after Pentecost The Eastern Orthodox Church and associated Eastern Catholic and Eastern Lutheran churches celebrate it on the first Sunday after Pentecost. Source: Wikipedia, “All Saints' Day”

Day of the Dead

1. 100 Which holiday is also called Día de los Muertos? Response: Day of the Dead The Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de (los) Muertos) is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, though other days, such as October 31 or November 6, may be included depending on the locality. Source: Wikipedia, “Day of the Dead”
2. 200 In which country is the Day of the Dead most widely observed? Response: Mexico The festival is widely observed in Mexico and among people of Mexican heritage in other parts of the world. Source: Wikipedia, “Day of the Dead”
3. 300 On which two days is the Day of the Dead traditionally celebrated? Response: November 1 and 2 The Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de (los) Muertos) is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, though other days, such as October 31 or November 6, may be included depending on the locality. Source: Wikipedia, “Day of the Dead”
4. 400 What are the Day of the Dead's home altars and its marigold flowers called? Response: ofrendas and cempazúchitl Traditions connected with the holiday include honoring the deceased using calaveras and marigold flowers known as cempazúchitl, building home altars called ofrendas with the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these items as gifts for the deceased. Source: Wikipedia, “Day of the Dead”
5. 500 Name three ways families remember the dead on the Day of the Dead. Response: honoring the deceased, building ofrendas, and visiting graves with gifts Traditions connected with the holiday include honoring the deceased using calaveras and marigold flowers known as cempazúchitl, building home altars called ofrendas with the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these items as gifts for the deceased. Source: Wikipedia, “Day of the Dead”

Guy Fawkes Night

1. 100 Which Great Britain commemoration is also called Bonfire Night? Response: Guy Fawkes Night Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Fireworks Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain, involving bonfires and fireworks displays. Source: Wikipedia, “Guy Fawkes Night”
2. 200 On what date is it observed? Response: November 5 Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Fireworks Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain, involving bonfires and fireworks displays. Source: Wikipedia, “Guy Fawkes Night”
3. 300 Guy Fawkes Night is known for which two kinds of fire? Response: bonfires and fireworks Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Fireworks Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain, involving bonfires and fireworks displays. Source: Wikipedia, “Guy Fawkes Night”
4. 400 Guy Fawkes Night remembers which 1605 plot? Response: Gunpowder Plot Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605 O.S., when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. Source: Wikipedia, “Guy Fawkes Night”
5. 500 Where was Guy Fawkes arrested, and what was he guarding? Response: beneath the House of Lords while guarding explosives Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605 O.S., when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. Source: Wikipedia, “Guy Fawkes Night”

Walpurgis Night

1. 100 Which observance is the eve of Saint Walpurga's feast day? Response: Walpurgis Night Walpurgis Night, an abbreviation of Saint Walpurgis Night (from the German Sankt-Walpurgisnacht), also known as Saint Walpurga's Eve (alternatively spelled Saint Walburga's Eve) and Walpurgisnacht, is the eve of the Christian feast day of Saint Walpurga, an 8th-century abbess in Francia, and is celebrated on the night of 30 April and the day of 1 May. Source: Wikipedia, “Walpurgis Night”
2. 200 Walpurgis Night is the eve of which saint's feast day? Response: Saint Walpurga Walpurgis Night, an abbreviation of Saint Walpurgis Night (from the German Sankt-Walpurgisnacht), also known as Saint Walpurga's Eve (alternatively spelled Saint Walburga's Eve) and Walpurgisnacht, is the eve of the Christian feast day of Saint Walpurga, an 8th-century abbess in Francia, and is celebrated on the night of 30 April and the day of 1 May. Source: Wikipedia, “Walpurgis Night”
3. 300 The saint behind Walpurgis Night was what, and where? Response: an 8th-century abbess in Francia Walpurgis Night, an abbreviation of Saint Walpurgis Night (from the German Sankt-Walpurgisnacht), also known as Saint Walpurga's Eve (alternatively spelled Saint Walburga's Eve) and Walpurgisnacht, is the eve of the Christian feast day of Saint Walpurga, an 8th-century abbess in Francia, and is celebrated on the night of 30 April and the day of 1 May. Source: Wikipedia, “Walpurgis Night”
4. 400 Walpurgis Night falls on the night of which date, and its feast on which day? Response: the night of April 30 and the day of May 1 Walpurgis Night, an abbreviation of Saint Walpurgis Night (from the German Sankt-Walpurgisnacht), also known as Saint Walpurga's Eve (alternatively spelled Saint Walburga's Eve) and Walpurgisnacht, is the eve of the Christian feast day of Saint Walpurga, an 8th-century abbess in Francia, and is celebrated on the night of 30 April and the day of 1 May. Source: Wikipedia, “Walpurgis Night”
5. 500 To which town were Saint Walpurga's relics moved, and on what date? Response: her relics moved to Eichstätt on May 1, 870 This feast commemorates the canonization of Saint Walpurga and the movement of her relics to Eichstätt, both of which occurred on 1 May 870. Source: Wikipedia, “Walpurgis Night”

Final round: Calendar Comparisons

This holiday is traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, with other dates included in some localities. Response: Day of the Dead The Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de (los) Muertos) is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, though other days, such as October 31 or November 6, may be included depending on the locality. Source: Wikipedia, “Day of the Dead”