Who Exactly Began Halloween And What Was The Objective Of This Event?

Around 2,000 years ago, people called Celts were living in northern Europe in areas that at present are made up of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Northern France. These people observed their new year every November 1. The time marked the end of summer harvest and start of the very long, cold winter months. Human deaths were associated with the winters. The Celts considered the night preceding the new year was marked with a blur involving life and death. So that night, October 31, became a celebration named Samhain. The belief was that spirits of the deceased returned to earth causing trouble and causing damage to crops. The Celtic priests known as Druids used these returning spirits to make future prophecies which were used for guidance and consolation during the winter months.

The Druids would set up huge bonfires and the people would normally sacrifice portions of their harvest and animals to the Celtic deities. This specific tradition also included people wearing costumes of animal heads and skins while they aimed to tell one an others fortunes.

When the Romans conquered the vicinity in 43 AD, they consolidated two Roman festivals with Samhain. Feralia took place in late October and it observed the passing of the deceased and Pomona was celebrated for the goddess of fruit and trees. It is considered that apple bobbing was part of this celebration.

Christianity came into this land in 800. Pope Boniface IV proclaimed November 1 as All Saints Day to be able to pay tribute to saints and martyrs. It was a church approved holiday and was also called All-hallowmas. The evening before was called All-hallows Eve. In 1000 AD November 2 became All Souls Day that would remember the dead by the church. Events had huge bonfires, parades and costumes of angels, devils and saints. All three celebrations were now known as the Eve of All Saints, All Saints and All Souls and they became Hallowmas.

Halloween in America

As the Europeans immigrated to America, their unique customs and ideas came along. The southern colonies together with Maryland began a community party celebrating the harvest and neighbors would delight in telling stories of the departed, telling fortunes, singing and dancing. In mid 1800 these kinds of autumn celebrations were common but they just weren't observed in all places.

In the latter part of 1800, many Irish immigrated to America bringing the Irish and English tradition of Halloween. Costumes were worn and the practice of going house to house seeking food and money started the tradition of trick-or-treat.

Around the turn of the century, Halloween had become a day of parties for both children and adults centering on games, foodstuff and Halloween costumes. Today this tradition of a Halloween party continues and it is thought that $6.9 billion is spent on the Halloween USA holiday each year.

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