Halloween, celebrated every year on October 31, is one of the most exciting holidays, where people get to wear costumes, decorate ttheir houses, and, of course, eat candy. But who invented such celebration and why was it invented? Halloween started as an ancient Celtic festival of“ Samhain”. The Celts lived in what is now Ireland, and over about 2,000 years ago, it is believed that they
celebrated their new year on November 1st. Samhain represented the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time associated with death. Celts believed that on the night of October 31, the boundary between the world of the living and the dead was blurred. The Celts built huge bonfires and wore costumes that were often made of animal skins to scare ghosts, and offered food sacrifices.
All the Way to America
When European settlers, especially Irish and Scottish immigrants, came to America in the 19th century, they brought their Halloween customs and traditions with them. One popular tradition was“ souling,” where people would go door to door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for small cakes. Over the time, this evolved into“ trick-or-treating”, where children dress in costumes and go door to door collecting candy. By the 20th century, Halloween in America had transformed into a holiday with parties, parades, and festival activities for all ages. It’ s purpose shifted from serious rituals and spirits to having fun, and it became the holiday many of us recognize today, that evolves children and family-friendly activities. Today, Halloween is one of the most popular holidays, especially in the United States. People decorate their houses with carved pumpkins, also known as jacko’-lanterns, dress up in costumes, from spooky to silly, and attend Halloween parties. Trick-or-treating is children’ s favorite activity, I mean, who doesnt like candy? While haunted houses and ghost tours add a spooky thrill for older people.
Halloween, the holiday to celebrate the mysterious and supernatural. Whether you’ re dressing up as your favorite character or carving pumpkins with your friends, the history of Halloween reminds you that this fun-filled day has deep roots in ancient traditions.
So, as you enjoy the spooky celebration this year, on October 31st, remember that Halloween is more than just eating candy— it’ s a holiday shaped by centuries of fascinating history! Now that I think of this, history is actually fun.