>>Jack 'O Lantern Tradition Dates Back to 1700's Irish Story
(Undated) -- If you've ever wondered about the origins of carving Jack-O-Lanterns, it's time to find out. Rebecca Hughes has the story.Preview: Wrap Script:
The Irish story starts in the 1700's with Jack.Preview: Anne Effland, a USDA historical researcher, says the story goes the devil was chasing Jack and Jack tricked him into climbing a tree. By carving a cross into the tree, the devil was trapped up there. Although, Effland says when Jack died he couldn't get into heaven or hell with the devil tossing a hot ember at him.Preview: She says from that story the Irish began carving and lighting turnips to either guide souls along or scare them away. When the tradition came to America, turnips turned into pumpkins.
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There is still time to carve your pumpkin, but many Virginians don't know that the history of carving Jack-O-Lanterns can be traced back to the Irish back in the 1700's. USDA Historical Researcher Anne Effland says legends say the devil chased Jack and Jack tricked him into climbing a tree, then trapped him there by carving a cross on the trunk. She says when the Irish brought the tradition to America it changed slightly.Preview: Effland says the Irish used carved and lit turnips to either guide souls along or scare them away.