The Origin of Halloween
2 min read
By: Alex Nulph
Halloween is one of the most loved holidays in The U.S. by kids and adults alike. One night a year there are kids dressed up in costumes going door to door saying, “trick or treat!” then receiving candy. This tradition has been going around for centuries. It all started when the Ancient Celtic Festival of Samhain was put on 2,000 years ago. They celebrated the ending of summer and the coming of the cold dark winter. At this point and time, they thought the realms of the dead were at its thinnest, meaning the dead would return to the living world. For this event, the Celts built big bonfires, where the people would gather up crops and animals to sacrifice them to the Celtic deities. In 609 A.D. Christianity started to flood the Pagan land and the holiday became All Saints Day on November 1st which expanded the festivals. In the 9th century the Christians and Pagans collided the holiday making November 2nd All Souls’ Day. The holiday was celebrated like Samhain, dressing up with costumes as angels and devils. Eventually being called All-Hallows Eve which eventually became Halloween.
Halloween came to the U.S. during the Irish Potato Famine in the 19th Century. According to tradition, the spirits of the dead were able to come back to life to harm people and crops in the physical world. At the turn of the century, Halloween parties for both children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the day. Parties focused on games, foods of the season and festive costumes. The way to celebrate Halloween is to be with friends and have an enjoyable time with lots of candy. Some students in the school answered the following questions “What age did you stop trick or treating or are you currently still going? What are your plans for your 2021 costume? Will you be going to any parties?” Kierra Armstrong from Cosmology said, “I love halloween. It is a wonderful way for people to really express themselves. I will always go trick or treating until the day I die. However last year because of covid I was notable to go. I do plan to go to a few tricks or treat nights as well as any Halloween party I can find. I currently have a few options of costuming but for now my favorite idea of what my costume will be is a spooky broken doll. I love the idea of doing the face and body makeup as well as designing the costume for it.” Emma Wrighter from Biomedical said “I stopped trick or treating probably about 4 years ago. I don’t have a plan for my costume yet and I am planning on going to parties” In conclusion “our” holidays have been around for many years, as well as warped and transformed throughout those years. Stay safe and dress to impress on this Happy Halloween.
