HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN

October 31^st is Halloween and mix of ancient Celtic, Catholic and Roman religious ceremonies mixed in with some European folk traditions.

The Celtics would wear costumes and light fires to protect themselves from the returning dead. Halloween is also influenced by the holiday of Samhain, the Catholic Hallowmas section of All Saints Day and All Soul’s Day and the Roman’s Festival of Feralia

In the 19^th century, Halloween became less of a religious holiday and more of a children’s holiday. The tradition of trick or treating has spread from UK, United States and Canada to parts of Europe and even Saudi Arabia.   

Trick-or-treating originates from “souling” when poor people went door to door during Hallowmas to receive food in exchange for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day.  This holiday originated in Ireland and the UK.