Because I live in Europe, many of my friends ask me about the history of Halloween. This little fact sheet I always print out and have at my Halloween parties, so my friends know exactly what we are celebrating, the history of Halloween, and why we are wearing costumes!
What is Halloween?
Halloween is celebrated on October 31st in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom. On this night children dress up in costumes and go around the neighborhood, ringing neighbor’s doorbells and then saying “trick or treat”. Neighbors pass out candy to the children and admirer their costumes. Halloween parties are popular with children as well as adults.
Jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins with carved faces lit with a candle can be seen around the neighborhood during this time.
Where did Halloween come from?
Halloween dates back to the Celtic festival of Samhain. Corresponding with the harvest, this was the Celtic New Year. Celts believed that during this night (October 31st) the veil between the living world and the dead was at its thinnest. This was a time when the Druid priests could predict the future. Their celebration included a large bon fire with food and animal sacrifices to the deities while the Celtics dressed up in costumes.
When Christianity came into the area the holiday was changed to be more church acceptable. Pope Boniface IV claimed November 1st All Saints Day, a time to honor Christian saints. This day was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints’ Day).
Halloween came to the Americas with the colonies, but because of some of the religious areas was more common in Maryland and the southern colonies.
In the late 1800s, there was a move in America to mold Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighborly get-togethers, than about ghosts, pranks, and witchcraft.
Today, Americans spend an estimated $6.9 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country’s second largest commercial holiday.
What are the origins of Trick-or-Treating?
This most likely came from the English All Souls’ Day, when poor citizens would beg for food. Families would give them “soul cakes” in exchange for their promise to pray for the family’s dead relatives. This was encouraged by the church to replace the pagan tradition of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits.
Why do we wear costumes?
Halloween is the time when ghosts roam the earth, and many people believed they would meet a ghost if they left their homes. In order not to be recognized by the ghosts, people would wear masks after dark so ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits.