The Spookiest History Behind Halloween
Halloween's Origins Stem Back to the Celts
Halloween has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated on November 1st to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on this night, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. As a result, they celebrated with bonfires, costumes, and feasts to honor the dead and ward off evil spirits.
Trick-or-Treating Traditions Began in the Middle Ages
The tradition of trick-or-treating can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when poor people would go door-to-door on All Souls' Day (November 2nd) and ask for food and money in exchange for prayers for the dead. Over time, this practice evolved into the more secular tradition of children dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door asking for candy.
Jack-o'-Lanterns Originated from Irish Folklore
The iconic jack-o'-lantern is said to have originated from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack. According to the legend, Jack tricked the devil several times and, as punishment, was condemned to wander the earth with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack carved a lantern from a turnip and placed the coal inside, creating the first jack-o'-lantern.
Halloween is the Second Largest Commercial Holiday in the United States
Halloween is a major commercial holiday in the United States, with an estimated $10.1 billion spent on costumes, candy, and decorations in 2022. It is second only to Christmas in terms of consumer spending.
5 Interesting Facts about Halloween
- The word "Halloween" comes from the Old English phrase "All Hallows' Eve," which means "the evening before All Saints' Day."
- The largest Halloween parade in the world is held in New York City, with over 50,000 participants and 2 million spectators.
- The most popular Halloween candy in the United States is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
- The Guinness World Record for the largest pumpkin ever grown was set in 2021 by Stefano Cutrupi of Italy, with a pumpkin weighing 2,703 pounds.
- Halloween is celebrated in many countries around the world, but the traditions and customs vary widely from place to place.
