The Origins of Halloween

Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).

The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death.

On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

By the 600s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs.
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