Jack-o’-lanterns have probably been popping up in your neighborhood this past week. They are perhaps the most well-known symbol of Halloween, but do you know how they originated? To find out, we have to take a walk through the centuries and travel to Ireland. There, legend has it, a man twice tricked the Devil, which we think is pretty impressive! Unfortunately for this man, Stingy Jack, after his death, his trickery saw him forced to wander the Earth, with only a burning coal to light his way and keep him company. Jack placed the coal in a turnip, and the Irish started carving their own turnips and potatoes with scary faces in order to keep Jack and other evil spirits far away. Over time, the carved vegetables became known as jack-o’-lanterns, and people switched to using pumpkins. How’s that for a spooky history? For more of the Stingy Jack legend, check out this article and have a happy Halloween!