What is jack-o'-lantern ? A jack-o'-lantern (or jack o'lantern) is a carved turnip, pumpkin or other root vegetable lantern usually associated with the Halloween holiday. Its name comes from the reported phenomenon of strange lights flashing over peat bogs, which are known as will-o'-the-wisps or jack-o'-lanterns. the name is also associated with the Irish legend of "Scrooge." Scrooge" was a drunkard who bargained with Satan and was destined to wander the earth with only a hollowed-out turnip to light his way. Jack-o'-lanterns carved from pumpkins are an annual Halloween tradition that took shape when Irish immigrants brought their root vegetable carving tradition to the United States. World Record of jack-o'-lantern Keene, New Hampshire has long held the world record for the most lanterns carved and lit in one place. The Life Is Good Company has partnered with Camp Sunshine to break that record." Camp Sunshine, a camp for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, set a record on October 21, 2006 when 30,128 lanterns were lit simultaneously on Boston Common in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Haywood, Illinois attempted to set the record on October 31, 2011 with an unofficial count of 30,919, but did not follow Guinness rules, so the achievement was not counted. On October 19, 2013, New Hampshire's Keene broke Boston's record and reclaimed the world record for the most lit jack-o-lanterns on display (30,581). Keene has now broken this record eight times since his initial attempt. More about Halloween Halloween, celebrated on 31 October, also known as All Hallows' Eve or Hallowe'en, is a night of the year when people go out to celebrate and dress up in costumes. It's one of the most popular holidays in Europe and North America. It originated from ancient Celtic harvest festivals (the dead were thought to return) and Christian celebrations (All Saints Day). In Ireland it was called Samhain, which means "summer's end".