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What is the history of Halloween?

What is the history of “Halloween”?

  • What is the history of “Halloween”? and how did the pumpkin tradition start?

  • Answer:

    The clue is in the name - Hallowe'en - which is an abbreviation of All Hallows Eve. Hallow is an old English word for holy, blessed or saint - hence the expression "Hallowed ground" meaning holy or sacred ground. Hence All Saints Eve - the eve (evening before) of All Saints Day. All Saints Day is an ancient Christians festival (over 1000 years old) which was inaugurated by one of the popes when he dedicated a church to the memory of all the Saints (holy people who had died) who did not have their own feast. It became very popular and was celebrated all over Europe as a way of remembering all holy people, even, in some countries, all your ancestors. As the festival spread, lots of customs grew up around it. There would be processions the night before with people dressed as the Saints - and others dressed up a mock demons or devils to tempt them - unsuccessfully of course. The devils would also play tricks on people, but lights would keep them away and also welcome the saints. Protestants rejected all the old Catholic customs and that is the source of the myths about devil worship - they are straightforward anti-catholic. There is, despite a load of nonsense on the internet, NO evidence of any link to any Pagan festival, there is NO evidence of any Celtic day of the dead, NO evidence that Samhain (Irish for November) was the celtic New Year, NO evidence that a feast was held on Oct 31st. In any case, All Saints was started in the 9th century by which time Ireland had been Christian for over 300 years. It is certainly true that most people in the US and UK (due to their largely protestant roots) have forgotten why they are celebrating and have invented all sorts of spurious reasons. In Catholic countries you will find it rather different. PS The history channel stuff about Halloween is total bunkum.

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They have the deatils here http://halloween.123holiday.net/

Heather

Your question is more interesting . . . .and the answer more involved . . .than you realize. The explanation has been very well done on the History channel. It's great and VERY informative. I watched it last year and I'm not sure when it will be on again. But since Halloween is fast approaching, it will, no doubt, be on again. Watch for it because you WILL enjoy it.

Millenium

I remember my mom telling me about this..... . this history is the mexican one Ok when somebody died in Mexico they would have a little festival sad thing called Halloween and they... bury the dead person and make Bread with bones on it. and over the years people changed it to make it more fun for children. They gave out candy to children who came past their house and now they wear costumes and say trick or treat at peoples doors at night. At that time of the month if you look up at the sky you will more stars than usual unless it is cloudy. This is true! Last year in Social Studies i learned this! I am only 11

Sk8boarding girl

there was a holiday called hollows eve and it was known as the devil day.

Jason L

You know, i belive that halloween was a ritual the natives had that was made on october 31, and it consisted of dressing up as monsters and such to scare off bad spirits and be safe. The pumpkin i'm not really sure. Hope i helped.

Jorge M

idk about the pumpkin, but Halloween(All Hallow's Eve) comes from celtic tradition of scaring away the evil spirits. History Channel usually has a Halloween History Special during the week of halloween, so watch that if you want to know more about it :)

Chris

halloween was started in england (i think or some where over that way) on halloween the Spirit world and are world and parallel and people dressed up and carven pumpkin with scary faces to scare the spirits. then the candy co. turned it into a day to make money.

♥fashionista♥

the history of halloween: you may know it really is hallows eve? halloween is the night that the dead rose again. the one night all the monsters, witches, goasts, and overall living dead can come back to haunt. idk about pumpkins... but isn't the whole story kind of creepy? i love it!

Emma

idk yo doo mo low

Jean P

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