The origin of Halloween
dates back 2000 years ago to the Celtic celebration of the dead. A Celtic festival was held on November 1, the first day of
the celtic New Year, honoring the Samhain, the Lord of the Dead. Celtic ritual believed that the souls of the dead returned
on the evening before November 1. The celebration included burning sacrifices and costumes. These early events began as both
a celebration of the harvest and an honoring of dead ancestors.
Halloween spread throughout
Europe in the seventh century. It began with "All Hallows Eve", the "Night of the Dead". It is immediately followed by "All
Souls Day", a christian holy day.
The first lighted fruit
was really carved out of gourds and turnips. European custom also included carving scary faces into the gourds and placing
embers inside to light them. This was believed to ward of evil spirits, especially spirits who roamed the streets and countryside
during All Hallows Eve.
The Irish brought
the tradition of carving turnips and even potatoes with them to America. They quickly discovered that pumpkins were bigger
and easier to carve.
