Pumpkin field, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 28 Oct 2024

As autumn covers the landscape with amber hues and the chill of Halloween approaches, the time-honoured tradition of carving jack-o"-lanterns comes to life. Originally from Ireland and Scotland, this craft was taken to America by immigrants who initially used turnips and potatoes to create lanterns, but later found pumpkins more plentiful and easier to carve. By hollowing out pumpkins and lighting them with candles, they transformed the gourds into flickering defences against evil spirits.

© Shaun Cunningham/Alamy Stock Photo

palette

Today in History

Angel of the sea
29 Oct 2023Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia, USA
28 Oct 2025The Gothic Gate in the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, Czechia

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Its puffling season!
7 Jun 2024World Oceans Day
Here we go!
25 Jan 2025Celebrating Robert Burns OR Burns Night
4 Nov 2024Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England
17 Oct 2024Kochia, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
20 Dec 2024Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
8 Nov 2025Bandon Beach in Bandon, Oregon, United States
1 Jun 2024Pride Month
2 Jun 2025Skipper butterfly on an Echinacea flower
12 Aug 2024World Elephant Day
26 Jan 2024Big Garden Birdwatch
8 May 2025World Donkey Day
15 Jul 2024Marine Day, Japan
Reflecting on Christmas
7 Jan 2025Moeraki Boulders, South Island, New Zealand
19 Oct 2023Mekong River Delta, Long An, Vietnam
Angry bird, doting dad
23 Sep 2023Autumnal equinox
24 Mar 2025Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
Halfway there
1 Dec 2023Antarctica Day
A little bird told me...
19 Sep 2024International Talk Like a Pirate Day
28 Feb 2024Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England
A high-flying royal tradition
In fine feather
22 Dec 2025The Nutcracker performed by the Turkish State Opera and Ballet in Ankara
3 Mar 2025World Wildlife Day
The buffet is open