The History of Halloween

The celebration of what is called Halloween is a favorite of many children around the world including the United States. On Halloween, children attend parties, dress up in their preferred costume and watch scary movies. The highlight of Halloween obviously though for most children is the delicious sweets they receive when trick or treating. Adults also enjoy it as well and get into the festivities by attending parties or possibly going to haunted houses. UNICEF which stand for United Nations Children's Fund use the Halloween tradition for a good cause by having kids request money instead of candy when trick or treating. The money that is then collected would help mothers as well as children in countries where poverty was rampant. So where exactly did Halloween originate and why do we celebrate its tradition? Let us get into the history of what is called Halloween.

It has been said that Halloween came about during the time of the Pagans and it is one of their holidays. Can you believe that Halloween is even older than the birth of our savior known as Jesus Christ? November 1st is the time that the druids would offer themselves to Samhain or the lord of the dead. Halloween was celebrated by the Pagans and the introduction of this celebration to the Christians started after the Apostles passed away. During the time of the Dark Ages, when the Christians began to celebrate Halloween brought about by the Pagans, it eventually moved to countries that had been established as colonies.

It has been said that Halloween or what one can refer to as All Hallows Day Eve, is a time of celebration when the dead will walk the streets. The following day is not only referred as All Hallows Day but as All Saints Day or even All Souls Day. This day is a time when the churches can honor the saints.

It has been believed by people including Celts that this celebration of what one called Halloween was when spirits who were dead would rise from their graves and make their way among the living. These spirits would search for bodies that were alive to acquire for their own use. This of course frightened the living so on Halloween, they decided that they would dress up in ghastly outfits or costumes so when these spirits came looking for them to take over their bodies, they would be too terrified to do so.

Even after all these years, Halloween is still loved and celebrated by many, young and old. It is a tradition that has held up and will continue to do so for future generations.