Halloween is a holiday filled with celebration and superstition, with its origins dating back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Although initially a religious holiday designated to honor martyrs and saints, Halloween has evolved into a secular event over the years. Today, it involves children and trick or treating.
Ancient Origins
The ancient festival of Samhain took place on November 1st nearly 2,000 years ago, when the Celts celebrated their new year. The day marked the end of summer as well as the start of the cold and dark winter, which was a time associated with human suffering and death. The Celts believed that, on the night before the new year, the boundary between the living and dead worlds became blurred.
Coming to America
Halloween celebrations were limited in colonial New England because of the strict Protestant belief systems in the region. It was more common in the southern colonies. The first Halloween celebrations included play parties, or public events to celebrate the harvest. People would exchange stories of the dead, dance and sing.
Dressing up and trick or treating became custom in the late 19th century. Today, one quarter of all the candy sold in the United States annually is bought for Halloween.