Halloween is the holiday where you dress up, get candy from strangers, and stay up late. It’s well-known, but what isn’t is its history. Halloween is celebrated on October 31st. The reason it’s celebrated on the 31st is because Samhain is on that day. Samhain is when the ghosts of the dead return to Earth. Halloween has roots in the ancient Celtic festival. Celts lived in Ireland, 2000 years ago, and celebrated their new year on November 1st. Halloween also has some roots in Christian belief and was initially called All Hallows Eve. It’s the evening before All Saints Day, which is also November 1st.
Halloween in the early colonies
Halloween came to America in the 1900s. The celebration of Halloween was extremely limited in colonial England. It was more common in Maryland than in other states. Most of the colonies didn’t celebrate it because of their religious beliefs. When different European groups began to merge, the celebration of Halloween started to grow. Early celebrations would include neighbors sharing ghost stories, and having bonfires.
So, where did we get carving pumpkins from?
Carving pumpkins originated in Ireland. Pumpkins weren’t originally used, turnips were. The reason for carving scary faces into the turnips ways to scare away Jack’s Wandering soul. Allegedly it’s based on a legend about a man named Stingy Jack. Candles were placed inside the gourd to make a makeshift lantern, or to light up the face.
Wearing creepy costumes
Back then people wore scary costumes to not be terrorized by the evil spirits who roamed the earth during Samhain. According to American Ghost Walks, “elves and fairies were anticipated” to roam the earth as well. Celts would put ashes or animal heads on their faces, so the spirits would go near them. Wearing costumes could also make it easy to play tricks because you were disguised.
Trick or Treat
Trick or treating may have come from a long-lost Christmas tradition, where the poor would “go begging on all souls day, and children eventually took over the custom.” according to National Geographic. Children would receive “soul cakes”, in exchange for prayers. Tricks started to be more common in the 19th century. After World War 2, suburbs began to get popular and candy became available. The suburbs made it easy for kids to go from house to house, which made the celebration of Halloween popular. https://cathfamily.org/all-hallows-eve-soul-cakes/
Over the years, the typical traditions of Halloween have changed. Some people throw parties, go to haunted houses, or simply spend their night watching their favorite horror movies. However you celebrate Halloween, be sure to stay safe and have a terrifyingly fun night!
