%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20id%3D%22Layer_1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20684.6%2068.1%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%20684.6%2068.1%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cg%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M444.1%2C29.3h-17.4v14.5h17.4V29.3z%20M36.4%2C68.1l29.3-50.8V0H50.4L32.9%2C36.8L15.5%2C0H0v68.1h16.7V45.8l12.4%2C22.3H36.4z%0A%09%09%20M49.1%2C68.1h16.6V23.4L49.1%2C52.1V68.1z%20M76.6%2C68.1h45V53.8H93.3V41.6h21V27.1h-21V14.8h28.3V0.1h-45V68.1z%20M175.6%2C68.1h17.3v-68%0A%09%09h-16.5v40.3L150%2C0.1h-17.6v68h16.7V27.7L175.6%2C68.1z%20M235.8%2C14.8h15.4V0.1h-47.4v14.7H219v53.2h16.8V14.8z%20M290.3%2C45.9h-17.1%0A%09%09l7.5-15.6h2L290.3%2C45.9z%20M298.7%2C68.1h18l-32.2-68h-5.7l-32%2C68h18l3.3-7.1h27.1L298.7%2C68.1z%20M325.2%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1h-16.7%0A%09%09V68.1z%20M423.7%2C14.8h27.2V0.1H407v68h16.7V14.8z%20M462%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1H462V68.1z%20M564.8%2C34.1c0%2C10.7-7.2%2C19.2-18.5%2C19.2%0A%09%09c-11.4%2C0-18.5-8.5-18.5-19.2s7.1-19.2%2C18.5-19.2C557.6%2C14.9%2C564.8%2C23.4%2C564.8%2C34.1%20M580.6%2C34.1c0-19-14.2-34-34.3-34%0A%09%09c-20.2%2C0-34.3%2C15-34.3%2C34c0%2C19%2C14.1%2C34%2C34.3%2C34C566.4%2C68.1%2C580.6%2C53.1%2C580.6%2C34.1%20M604.8%2C20.5c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2%0A%09%09c4.4%2C0%2C6.6%2C3%2C6.6%2C6.6h14.7C631.8%2C9.1%2C625.1%2C0.1%2C611%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8%0A%09%09c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6%0A%09%09c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8C610.6%2C26.1%2C604.8%2C25.3%2C604.8%2C20.5%20M670%2C20.9h14.7C683.8%2C9.1%2C677.1%2C0.1%2C663%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6%0A%09%09c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8%0A%09%09c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8c-5.4-1.6-11.3-2.4-11.3-7.2c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2C667.7%2C14.4%2C670%2C17.3%2C670%2C20.9%0A%09%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
How UNICEF Transformed Halloween Trick-or-Treating
UNICEF is as big a part of Halloween as a carved pumpkin. Here's how that relationship began.
HOLIDAYS
The Government Is Mailing Out Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Again—Here’s How to Get Them
The USPS will soon be on its way with more government-issued at-home COVID test kits. Here’s how to make sure they stop at your door.
6 Ways to Celebrate the Autumnal Equinox
The autumnal equinox is September 23, 2023. Here's how people will celebrate the start of fall around the world.
18 Surprising Facts About ‘Halloween III: Season of the Witch’
The controversial sci-fi horror film wasn’t a hit with critics or fans in 1982, but “Halloween III: Season of the Witch” has morphed into a cult classic over the years.
How Old Is Too Old for Trick or Treating?
Some communities have ordinances banning teens from knocking on doors. But are they justified?
7 Facts About Hispanic Heritage Month
For more than 30 years, Americans have celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15 each year. Here’s how this annual celebration came to be—and how you can take part.
Misconceptions About 9 Major Holidays
New Year’s resolutions aren’t doomed to fail, Halloween isn’t about devil worship, and Christmas isn’t celebrated on December 25 because Jesus was born that day.
13 Weird Old Words for Witches and Warlocks
Stick these terms in your cauldron and pass them around your coven.
The Best Pumpkin-Carving Tools and Accessories, According to an Expert
Maniac Pumpkin Carvers’ co-founder Marc Evan shares his tips, tricks, and picks for the best pumpkin-carving tools.
8 Facts About Labor Day
Americans celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September—which means Labor Day falls on Monday, September 4, in 2023.
Make Your Year Smarter With Mental Floss’s Amazing Facts 2024 Calendar
Mental Floss’s Amazing Facts 2024 calendar can provide the daily serving of trivia your brain craves.
What Exactly Is Canada Day?
Here’s a brief history of Canada’s national day—which celebrates the joining of the three original provinces—and how you can celebrate.
The Star-Spangled Batter: A Brief History of Baseball on the Fourth of July
Fourth of July baseball games have been popular since the Civil War era. Here’s how the tradition started.
The Best (and Worst) Times to Hit the Road This Fourth of July Weekend
More than 50 million Americans will travel this holiday weekend. Here's how to avoid most of them.
10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Fourth of July
One Founding Father thought we were celebrating on the wrong day, but that hasn’t stopped Americans from pulling out all the stops on July 4.
The History of Fourth of July Fireworks
The celebration of American Independence Day has never been small, subdued, or quiet. Here’s why the Fourth of July is illuminated with colorful displays in major cities, small towns, and backyards.
12 Fascinating Facts About Juneteenth
Juneteenth has been celebrated since enslaved people in Texas were told about their freedom on June 19, 1865. Here's what you need to know about the holiday.
What Does the Juneteenth Flag Symbolize?
On June 19, 2023, the United States will celebrate Juneteenth and the anniversary of Black emancipation. Here’s the meaning behind the holiday’s official flag.
How Marcus Garvey Bean Salad Became a Traditional Juneteenth Dish
Black nationalist leader Marcus Garvey played a major role in the early civil rights movement. This Juneteenth dish has more of a connection to him than just his name.
15 Great Father’s Day Gifts to Celebrate Every Kind of Dad
Have a dad who is hard to shop for? Here are the best Father’s Day gifts for all kinds of father figures, including everything from multitools to beard-trimming kits and more.
What's the Difference Between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
Both Memorial Day and Veterans Day are meant to celebrate military veterans, but there's one important distinction you should remember.
10 Things to Remember About Memorial Day
Memorial Day arose from the tragedy of the Civil War. It's a time to remember the people who sacrificed their lives for their country.
8 of the Best Mother’s Day Sales Happening Now
Celebrate the holiday with more savings, thanks to these Mother's Day sales happening at Amazon, Sur La Table, and other retailers.
10 Things You Might Not Know About Mother’s Day
People buy a lot of flowers on Mother’s Day. (Jewelry and spa services get boosts, too.)