Halloween is a holiday that is celebrated on October 31st every year. This is a time when people dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating or attend parties. But where did this holiday come from, and why do we celebrate it?
The origins of Halloween
Halloween can be traced back to an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain. This festival was celebrated on the night of October 31st, and it marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, and that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.
To ward off these ghosts, the Celts would light bonfires and wear costumes made from animal skins. They would also leave food and offerings for the dead outside their homes, hoping to appease them and prevent them from causing mischief.
Nightmare Before Christmas Village
This is the original Nightmare Before Christmas Village from Bradford Exchange. They now have a black light version with more color on the houses. I like this version much more
Halloween Smoked Meatloaf
This smoked meatloaf, wrapped in bacon and dripping with barbecue sauce, is perfect for Halloween diner. Serve this scary meatloaf with any of these Halloween side dish ideas. Halloween Stuffed PeppersWitch Finger Breadsticks
When the Romans conquered the Celtic lands, they brought with them their own festival called Feralia, which was celebrated in late October and honored the dead. Over time, Samhain and Feralia merged, and the traditions of both festivals were combined.
In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III declared November 1st as All Saints’ Day, a day to honor saints and martyrs. The night before All Saints’ Day became known as All Hallows’ Eve, and eventually, this name was shortened to Halloween.
Halloween was not widely celebrated in the United States until the 19th century, when Irish immigrants brought their Halloween traditions with them. Today, Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in the United States, with people of all ages dressing up in costumes and celebrating with parties, parades, and trick-or-treating.