5th

century

B.C

Celts celebrated the day before new year which was samhain and burned crops/animals.

43 A.D800

A.D

Nov.2

1000

A.D

Romans celebrated two more holidays when they captured the Celts land, Forelia & Pomona.

When Christians conquered the made All Hallows Day. The day before was All Hallows eve (Halloween)

People began to celebrate All Souls Day. This was a day to honor the dead.

Ancient Origins

Halloween's origins date back to the

ancient Celtic festival of Samhain

(pronounced sow-in).

The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago

in the area that is now Ireland, the

United Kingdom, and northern France,

celebrated their new year on

November 1. This day marked the end

of summer and the harvest and the

beginning of the dark, cold winter, a

time of year that was often associated

with human death. Celts believed that

on the night before the new year, the

boundary between the worlds of the

living and the dead became blurred.

On the night of October 31, they

celebrated

Samhain, when it was believed that the

ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In

addition to causing trouble and damaging

crops, Celts thought that the presence of

the otherworldly spirits made it easier for

the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make

predictions about the future. For a people

entirely dependent on the volatile natural

world, these prophecies were an important

source of comfort and direction during the

long, dark winter.

To commemorate the event, Druids built

huge sacred bonfires, where the people

gathered to burn crops and animals as

sacrifices to the Celtic deities.

During the celebration, the Celts wore

costumes, typically consisting of animal

heads and skins, and attempted to tell each

other's fortunes. When the celebration was

over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which

they had extinguished earlier that evening,

from the sacred bonfire to help protect

them during the coming winter.

Halloween has not always been around. when Christianity spread throughout Ireland and October 31 was no longer the last day of the year, Halloween became a celebration mostly for children. "Ghosts" went from door to door asking for treats, or else a trick would be played on the owners of the house. When millions of Irish people immigrated to the United States in the 1840s the tradition came with them.Today' school dances and neighborhood parties called "block parties" are popular among young and old alike. More and more adults celebrate Halloween. They dress up like historical or political figures and go to masquerade parties. In larger cities, costumed children and their parents gather at shopping malls early in the evening. Stores and businesses give parties with games and treats for the children. Teenagers enjoy costume dances at their schools and the more outrageous the costume the better!

Germany:

In Germany, the people put away their knives on Halloween night. The reason for this is because they do not want to risk harm befalling the returning spirits.

Korea:

In Korea, the festival similar to

Halloween is known as "Chusok."

It is at this time that families thank

their ancestors for the fruits of

their labor. The family pays

respect to these ancestors by

visiting their tombs and making

offerings of rice and fruits. The

"Chusok" festival takes place in

the month of August.

Sweden:

In Sweden, Halloween is known as "Alla Helgons Dag" and is celebrated from October 31 until November 6. As with many other holidays, "Alla Helgons Dag" has an eve which is either celebrated or becomes a shortened working day. The Friday prior to All Saint's Day is a short day for universities while school-age children are given a day of vacation.