A lot of people—some even reportedly contemplating suicide—are “genuinely frightened” the end of the world will arrive in 2012. Experts say books, Web sites, and marketing for 2012, the movie, may be fanning the flames.

Sesame Street character Cookie Monster is gobbling Google’s logo for the show’s 40th anniversary. But around the world it’s other Muppets that steal the show—and reflect the cultures and conflicts of each region.

Get the facts on Halloween history, today’s most popular costumes, record-breaking pumpkins, and more in National Geographic News’s 2009 Halloween roundup.

A far cry from the Twilight vampires, naughty nurses, and Spider-Men of 2009, the first Halloween costumes included animal skins and heads, drag getups, and even mechanical horse heads, historians say.

2009 is nearly over, and if you believe in Friday the 13th superstitions, that’s a good thing—this year packs the most Friday the 13ths possible. Find out why 2009 is ominously overpacked and where those superstitions came from.