Halloween, it’s a kid’s favorite holiday. You can get some free candy just by knocking on someone’s door, but has Halloween always been this way? 

The answer is no. Centuries ago, during the Iron Age, the Celtic people celebrated this holiday a little differently. Every year on October 31 through November 1, the Celts celebrated Samhain (literally meaning the “summer’s end” at that time). Samhain marked the end of the Pagan year and started the next. This was a time of sacrifice and stocking food for the incoming winter. Even though this particular holiday isn’t inherently dark, people have been placing evil connotations since the Roman Christian Era. 

Speaking of the Roman Christians, let’s talk about the name given to this spooky holiday we all hold dear. The word “Halloween” is a derivative of the Roman Christian holiday “All Hallows’ Eve.” This event in Roman society was the evening before All Saints’ Day. All Hallows’ Eve was first celebrated May 12, 602 AD, and the following day was dedicated to All Saints’ Day. These two celebrations were in honor of the Virgin Mary and other martyrs and dedicated a holiday by Pope Boniface IV as he declared the Roman Pantheon a church. 

So how did these religious holidays turn into the annual party night? 

Well, because the tradition of Samhain evolved to include mask wearing(to hide from the devil later called “Samhain”) and food giving, a new type of holiday, nicknamed Halloween, was created. Around the 8th century, the church moved All Saints’ Day to November 1, and consequently All Hallows’ Eve was moved to October 31. This change caused a collision of the two holidays. At first the holiday wasn’t well received, but in an attempt to create peace, the Pope at the time attempted to assimilate the two holidays. This resulted in Halloween as we know it–well at least a very crude version of it. 

Since this change, Halloween has evolved to become a costume wearing, candy eating, and partying holiday. It allows for all to have a good time during the colder part of the year. 

In summary, Halloween hasn’t always been a party day, and its origins are somewhat vague. But, Halloween is now a holiday celebrated by the young and old.