Where did the tradition of Halloween come from?
Along with the Irish people making their way west, also came many of the ancient Irish customs and traditions. One of the favorite institutions coming from the depths of Celtic history was that of Halloween; and the holiday of Halloween had now been officially brought into America.
Is it always fun and spooky on Halloween?
Halloween wasn’t always so fun and happy, however, and if you’ve ever wondered about the darker and spookier side of Halloween, you can take a look back into history and dig into the mind of the deeply superstitious ancient man.
When is Halloween celebrated in the United States?
Halloween is an annual holiday celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2019 occurs on Thursday, October 31. It originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.
Why was Halloween abandoned during World War 2?
During WWII, the idea of Halloween was all but abandoned anyway due to sugar rationing, so much of the chaos that had been associated with this holiday died from natural causes. By the time the war was over, Halloween was ready to be brought back to life with a new, fresh, family-friendly face.
The History of Halloween in the United States. Most of the colonists were Puritans and they primarily came from England which traditionally celebrated Samhain back when the Celts lived there. Although the Celtic religious traditions had been long replaced by Christianity, many of the old practices remained.
Who was the first person to write about Halloween?
In 1919, Ruth Edna Kelly wrote the first book-length history of the holiday called The Book of Halloween. Her book provided the first historical record of the history of Halloween in America. At the turn of the 20 th century Europeans flocked to America, including a large Irish population.
Where did the tradition of trick or treating come from?
The American Halloween tradition of “trick-or-treating” probably dates back to the early All Souls’ Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called “soul cakes” in return for their promise to pray for the family’s dead relatives.
What are some of the things people do for Halloween?
Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats. READ MORE: Best Halloween Costume Ideas Inspired by History Ancient Origins of Halloween Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).
How did Halloween change in the New World?
Influenced by a variety of cultures, the Halloween traditions in the American Colonies began to meld and change. In the New World, All Hallow’s Eve became a time for “play parties”, which were private parties thrown to celebrate the harvest. Many dressed in costume and told scary stories.