Halloween History

The origins of Halloween go back as far as 800BC. The Irish Celts celebrated Samhain at the end of October to celebrate the end of the summer season, to give thanks for the season of harvest and to honor the dead.  The Celts believed that the souls of the dead could return to roam freely among the living in search of a living body to possess, usually a black cat.  To discourage the spirits, villagers would dress up in costumes and walk around hoping to frighten them away.  They would also make bonfires to encourage the sun to return the next year.  The villagers would keep an ember from the bonfire for good luck and take it home in a turnip with a scary face carved on it.  The scary face was carved to protect them from the spirits on their walk home.

All Hallows Eve, the night before All Saints Day, originated from the Catholics.  All Saints Day was created for saints who did not already have a day to honor them. The word “hallow” is an old word for “saint.”

Later on, All Souls Day was created to honor all faithful Christians, not just saints.  On this day, people would go from door to door to ask for “soul cakes” and, in return, they would pray for their dead relatives.

Halloween in North America flourished after early immigrants from Scotland and Ireland brought with them traditions of Samhain, All Hallows Eve and All Saints Day.  They would carve jack-o-lanterns, tell ghost stories, dress up in scary costumes and go from door to door begging for treats.  Halloween is celebrated all over the world, but not to the extent that it is in the United States and Canada.

Today, Halloween is definitely an American tradition and is only rivaled by Christmas in terms of retail sales.  Most Americans hand out candy to trick-or-treaters, dress up in scary or funny costumes and go to costume parties.  It’s definitely the best holiday of the year!