Halloween falls on October 31, and has been around for over 2000 years (Pérez). Halloween today is known for spooky activities, pumpkin patches, carving pumpkins, haunted corn mazes, and more. What some people don’t know is that Halloween wasn’t always this way.
The Origin
Going back 2000 years, we are introduced to the Celtic Pagan festival of Samhain. On October 31, the festival would begin full of bonfires, music, dancing, and feasts. Originally, the festivities of Halloween were in honor of the end of summer, transitioning into the beginning of winter. Not only was it the transition between the seasons, it was also a day to invite the dead (like deceased members of families) to visit the living (Perez).
The Beginning of the Spread
At the end of the festival, Druids (Celtic priests) made bonfires, and the Celts sacrificed animals, and wore “costumes” typically made of animal heads, hence when Halloween costumes later came into play. As the Roman Empire conquered most of the Celtic territory, the people of the Roman Empire forcefully combined their festivals. One was Feralia, where the Romans commemorated those of the dead (History.com Editors)
The True Spread
The Pagan ideas of the festivals began to spread to Christianity, and Christianity adapted to the idea. They transferred them into Christianity’s own traditions. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III moved the holiday of All Saints’ Day to November 1st, so October 31 became “All Hallows Eve” and was eventually renamed as “Halloween” (Perez).
Halloween Meets American Culture
In the beginning, Halloween was more prominent in Southern places in the US, like Maryland. As more things started to merge between America and Europe, Americans created a thing called “play parties.” People would tell each other’s fortunes, tell stories of the deceased, and dance and sing (History.com Editors).
By the 19th century, autumn began to become incorporated in American Halloween, and by the 20th century, Halloween became less religious and more of a “secular and family-oriented” holiday (Perez).
What Was Halloween, Really?
Before trick-or-treating became knocking on strangers’ doors and asking for candy, it was a night of disaster and mayhem. Teenagers used it as an opportunity to run wild, setting fire to things, damaging property, and letting livestock loose. While candy was still handed out, it was used as a bribe; if you said no to giving them candy, you were more likely to get your things damaged in any way (Perez).
In hopes of killing the chaos that happened near Halloween, town leaders decided to make Halloween more of a festival/party thing, which eventually killed the vandalism, and Halloween was made to be centered around the youth. After books about Halloween party ideas and other festivities were published, a new tradition was formed (History.com Editors).
Present Day Halloween
As time evolved, Halloween did too. Things like Halloween movies, like the movie Halloween, were released. Halloween parties also continued to grow, coming from small gatherings to houses decked out in Halloween decorations and music, and people dressing up. Many Halloween conspiracy theories have been created, such as “black cats bring bad luck”.
Halloween is still a beloved holiday for many people, with traditions like parties, haunted houses, pumpkin carving, and more. Halloween is the one time a year when you can dress up as your favorite character, roam the streets, and, of course, get candy!
Have fun, and Happy Halloween!
Pérez, Christina. “The History of Halloween.” Vogue, 13 Oct. 2024, www.vogue.com/article/halloween-history. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
HISTORY.com Editors. “Halloween: Origins, Meaning & Traditions | HISTORY.” HISTORY, 18 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/articles/history-of-halloween. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
