The History of Halloween

The name Halloween comes from the original "hallowed" (holy) evening. Many of the customs of Halloween date back to ancient times when people believed in magic and superstition.
 
In ancient Ireland, people thought that on this night the dead returned to earth as witches, ghosts, black cats, or in other strange forms; they were creatures of the night and any form of light was a protection against them. To keep the evil spirits away people placed special lanterns by windows and doors; these lanterns were made out of hollowed-out pumpkins with a scary face carved on one side and a candle placed in the centre: these are the famous "jack o'lanterns".  
 
Halloween superstitions were brought over to America in the nineteenth century and have now been transformed into a trditional celebration. On the evening of October 31st, children dress up as ghosts and witches and run from house to house calling out "trick or treat"; neighbours give them sweets and if they don't, the children play a trick on them, like throwing flour at their doors and windows or making a lot of noise outside their houses. Adults also dress up and go to costume parties where they receive prizes for the best or scariest costume.
 
People decorate their houses with pictures of ghosts, witches, skeletons and spiders' webs, they also make carved pumpkins. Halloween colours are orange and black. You can also find pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies and even pumpkin ice cream!