Like many other holidays, Halloween has evolved and changed throughout
history. Over 2,000 years ago people called the Celts lived in what is now
Ireland, the UK, and parts of Northern France. November 1 was their New Year's
Day. They believed that the night before the New Year (October 31) was a time
when the living and the dead came together.
More than a thousand years ago the Christian church named November 1
All Saints Day (also called All Hallows.) This was a special holy
day to honor the saints and other people who died for their religion. The night
before All Hallows was called Hallows Eve. Later the name was
changed to Halloween.
Like the Celts, the Europeans of that time also believed that the
spirits of the dead would visit the earth on Halloween. They worried that evil
spirits would cause problems or hurt them. So on that night people wore
costumes that looked like ghosts or other evil creatures. They thought if they
dressed like that, the spirits would think they were also dead and not harm
them.
The tradition of Halloween was carried to America by the immigrating
Europeans. Some of the traditions changed a little, though. For example, on
Halloween in Europe some people would carry lanterns made from turnips. In
America, pumpkins were more common. So people began putting candles inside them
and using them as lanterns. That is why you see Jack 'o lanterns today.
These days Halloween is not usually considered a religious holiday. It
is primarily a fun day for children.
Children dress up in costumes like people did a thousand years ago. But instead of worrying about evil spirits,
they go from house to house. They knock on doors and say "trick or
treat." The owner of each house gives candy or something special to each
trick or treater.
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