| Today is |
Saturday
July 05, 2008
Home Page
|
| Holiday Fun Facts |
|
|
Halloween History
Halloween (All-hallows Eve) is celebrated on October 31, the day before the feast of All Saints Day. The origins of Halloween however date back to ancient pagan festivals at the end of October and the beginning of November.
The Celts believed that spirits of the dead roamed the earth at this time of year. Druids lighted bonfires to make sacrifices to their gods and to drive the roaming spirits away. When the Romans conquered the Celts their festivals remembering the dead and honoring Pomona, the goddess of fruits and gardens, which they held at the same time of year, were incorporated into the Celtic traditions.
To replace these pagan festivals of the dead, the Roman Catholic Church designated November 1 as All Saints Day. The day before All Saints Day became known as All-hallows Eve and eventually Halloween.
While Halloween celebrations today keep many of the early pagan customs, it has become a day of fun for children. Children dress in costumes, go trick or treating, hold parties with Jack-O’-Lanterns, cornstalks, ghosts, witches and black cats as decorations, and play games such as bobbing for apples. Many adults also enjoy the fun and celebrate Halloween.
| |
Copyright 2005 by AmericanHolidayCalendar.com, all rights reserved.
Celebrate religious and secular holidays popular in the Unites States with our holiday calendar. Learn the history and facts about your favorite American holiday and find the dates for holidays that change from year to year. |
|
|
|
