Halloween, celebrated on October 31st every year, has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. This festival marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, which was believed to be a time when the veil between the living and the dead became thin.
The Celts would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off any malevolent spirits that might be roaming the earth on this night. The Roman Empire later adopted these traditions and merged them with their own festivals, creating a unique blend of cultures.
As Christianity spread throughout Europe, the early Christian church attempted to eliminate the pagan traditions associated with Samhain. However, many of these customs persisted and evolved over time.
In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church established All Saints' Day on November 1st, followed by All Souls' Day on November 2nd. This created a three-day celebration that would eventually become Halloween.
Today, Halloween is celebrated by people all around the world. Children dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating, while adults attend costume parties and haunted houses.
The holiday has also become a major commercial success, with billions of dollars spent on decorations, costumes, and other related items each year.