Many people celebrate Halloween with candy and costumes, parties and horror film marathons. This can be seen in cities all over the US, but where did Halloween really come from?
It is believed that Halloween began with a harvest celebration known as Samhain. This celebration went with their new year established on Nov. 1. This transition from summer to winter was thought to be the time when the lines between the world of the dead and the world of the living were blurred together. It was believed that on this night, spirits who had passed in the previous year were able to communicate with the living. On Oct. 31, there were large bonfires built to make sacrifices to the spirits. During this celebration, the Celts wore costumes made of animal heads and skins and attempted to tell each other’s fortunes. Those who were uneasy with the roving spirits dressed as demons and witches to frighten them away.
This ritual was then transitioned when the Romans had conquered much of the Celtic territories.  Roman celebrations of harvest then became intertwined with the Celtic celebration of Samhain. The first was Feralia, which is when the Romans celebrated those who had passed. The next was a festival of Pomona, the goddess of fruits and trees. This has been accepted as one of the orgins of bobbing for apples.
After the fall of the Roman Empire and the influence of Christianity, Pope Gregory IV designated the first of November, All Saints Day. This day was also referenced as All-hallows, which made Oct. 31 All-hallows eve. Trick-or-treating however doesn’t have a direct influence. Historian James Appleyard writes, “Some people would hold parties where ghost stories were told. Following earlier traditions, some would go house to house looking for food.”
In the 1800’s Halloween lost much if its religious overtones and became a community-oriented celebration. This progressed into Halloween, as we know it today. This now commercialized industry is worth nearly $7 billion dollars annually according to The History Channel.