Halloween, celebrated on October 31st, has its origins over 2,000 years ago with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts, who lived in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. They believed that on the night of October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred, and spirits could return to the earth.

To protect themselves from these wandering spirits, the Celts lit large bonfires and wore costumes made of animal heads and skins. They believed these rituals could ward off evil spirits and ensure a safe winter.

When the Romans conquered Celtic lands, they combined their own festivals with Samhain. Later, Christianity influenced the tradition. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as All Saints’ Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. The night before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween.

Over time, Halloween traditions evolved. People carved jack-o’-lanterns from turnips (later pumpkins in America), went trick-or-treating, and celebrated with games, costumes, and treats. Today, Halloween is a popular holiday in many countries, blending ancient customs with modern fun and festivities.