When most people think of Halloween, carved pumpkins come to mind. Pumpkins have been a traditional part of Halloween for centuries. You can trace the history of the jack-o'-lantern back to Ireland, where people carved large turnips and potatoes to light their way during the dark autumn nights. These "lanterns" got their name from the legend of Stingy Jack. According to the story, Stingy Jack was a mean and unpopular man who tricked the devil several times. After Jack died, he was denied access to both heaven and hell. He was forced to wander the earth with only burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the world ever since. In Ireland and Scotland, people began carving their versions of Jack's lanterns out of turnips and potatoes to scare away Stingy Jack and other evil spirits. When Irish immigrants arrived in America in the 1800s, they carried this tradition. Pumpkin carving quickly became popular in America and is now a beloved fall tradition. This year's Halloween is fun with pumpkin carving templates free from Venngage.

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