Halloween has a distinct history. It takes place worldwide on October 31. In the United States and Canada dressing in costume by both children and adults is traditional and ‘trick-or-treating’ takes place. Pumpkins are carved into jack-o-lanterns and Halloween parties for both adults and children feature haunted house displays, ghost stories and games like bobbing for apples. Images of ghosts jump out from decorated homes, as do skeletons, black cats, witches and other goblins. Halloween parades are rampant.
Halloween has its origins in the Pagan festival of ‘Samhain’ (pronounced: SOW ehn). This simply translates into ’summer’s end.’ Originally a festival that marked the ending of the harvest and the beginning of the winter season, the in 800s, the Church established a mirror holiday, ‘All Saints’ Day’ on November 1. ‘All Hallows’ was another name given to ‘All Saints Day.’ The definition of hallow is saint, or holy one. ‘All Hallows Eve’ the evening before ‘All Saints’ Day’ became known as ‘Hallow e’en’. Now it’s just called Halloween as slang for the original name.
