The History of Halloween

By Delaney Stacy, Student Contributor, SLHS ‘28

Every fall, kids and adults in the United States get excited about Halloween. About 70 to 75% of Americans pick out costumes to wear on Oct. 31. And it’s not just the U.S.—about 40 other countries celebrate, too! With so many people joining in, you might wonder: where did Halloween come from?

Ancient Beginnings

About 2,000 years ago, people called the Celts held a festival named Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”). For them, Oct. 31 was like New Year’s Eve, the end of summer, and the beginning of winter. They believed that on this night, the world of the living and the world of spirits came closer together. To protect themselves, people lit big bonfires and wore costumes.

Other Traditions Mix In

Later, when the Roman Empire was in charge, they added their own celebrations, like Feralia, a day to honor the dead. Over time, other fall traditions were mixed in. In medieval England, people practiced “souling,” going door to door asking for food in exchange for prayers. In Ireland and Scotland, kids would go “guising,” dressing up in costumes and performing tricks or songs to get treats.

Coming to America

In the 1800s, many Irish immigrants came to the U.S., bringing their Halloween customs with them. At first, it wasn’t just about candy; it included parties, games, and community gatherings. By the early 1900s, towns worked to make Halloween more about fun for kids and less about spooky mischief.

Halloween Today

By the mid-1900s, Halloween had become one of the biggest holidays in America, with candy companies, costume makers, and decorations helping it grow. Today, Halloween is about dressing up, trick-or-treating, and celebrating with friends and family.

So even though Halloween is now mostly about fun and candy, it also has a long history. It began as a way to mark the seasons, honor the dead, and bring communities together.

Do you celebrate Halloween? If so, what’s your favorite tradition?