Halloween is a tradition that comes from an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain. It was celebrated on the eve of November 1 as the beginning of a new year . People welcomed the harvest and it marked the end of summer.
Celts lit bonfires, burned crops and animals as a sacrifice to their gods, and dressed up in costumes to scare off ghosts that were returning to earth.
Later on, Christians adopted the tradition. In the 7th century A.D. Pope Gregory declared November 1 a day in honour of all saints. The evening before was called All Hallow’s Eve. “Hallow” was the old English word for holy.
Halloween is a day full of activities, like trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins and apple bobbing.
Even though Halloween originated in Europe, it has been most popular in the United States, from where it spread around the world. Today it is a highly commercial event. Every year people spend money buying Halloween costumes and treats as well as organizing parties and other events.
Image : ToyahAnette B, Public domain,
via Wikimedia Commons