On Halloween, it is tradition to dress up, trick-or-treat, watch scary movies and participate in other festive activites. However, the holiday that we celebrate today is nothing like it was when it was first created.

“I always wondered where Halloween originated from and why because it’s such a strange holiday. I feel like it doesn’t really serve a purpose, but it’s still a lot of fun to celebrate,” said sophomore Tori Millington.

Halloween dates back from about 2,000 years ago in Ireland when the Celtic people celebrated their new year on November 1st. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest, beginning the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the New Year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31st they celebrated Samhain, because they believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

This holiday finally made its way to America in the 1800’s, and took Irish and English traditions, for instance, dressing up in costumes. Eventually by the 1920’s and 1930’s, Halloween became more about community. Parades, parties and trick-or-treating became customs in most places.

“I actually really like all the festive events that take place on Halloween. I really like all the costume parties and parades that happen,” said college freshman Sarah Hearne.

Dressing up for Halloween dates back hundreds of years ago when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, and people believed that they would encounter those ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear disguises after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for spirits.

“Usually on Halloween I try to go all out on dressing up because I really like that it’s the one day out of the year where you can be anyone or anything” said college freshman Stephanie Ines.

One thing that has not changed since the beginning of Halloween is the mystery, magic, and superstition it has always been filled with. The Celtics would set places at the dinner table, leave treats on doorsteps and along the side of the road and light candles to help loved ones find their way back to the spirit world. On the other hand, today’s ghosts and spirits are perceived as more malevolent.

“One of my favorite things about Halloween is getting scared,” said sophomore Megan Clark.

This wicked holiday has undergone numerous changes throughout the years. Nevertheless, it is celebrated and loved by many people.

“Halloween is my favorite holiday because it’s just so much fun to dress up and scare people and also get free candy,” said junior Marcelo Mayero.

 FSA Connection Questions

1. According to the article where did Halloween originate from?
2. Select two sentences from the story, one that shows similarity from the original traditions of Halloween, and one that shows the difference.
3. What is the main idea of the text?
4. In the piece, the word “malevolent” most means what?
5. From the article, why was Halloween originally celebrated?