Halloween

Halloween is believed to have developed from the Celtic holiday Samhain, which was held on October 31-November 1. Samhain celebrated the passing of the "lighter" half of the year and the coming of the "darker" half. It was also a time to honor the deceased ancestors or relatives in ones family. This may be where the idea of jack-o-lanterns came from. Jack-o-lanterns where originally carving made in turnips that where meant to honor dead relatives' souls that were stuck in purgatory. When the tradition was carried over to America settlers used pumpkins because they were more abundant and easier to carve. The tradition of honoring the dead also influenced the name "Halloween." Originally in Europe All Saints Day was celebrated on November 1, with All Saints Eve falling on October 31. The name was later changed to All Hallows Day and All Hallows Eve, because the holiday involved honoring the dead, and it was said that the dead should be hallowed. Therefore the term Halloween became a descendant of All Hallows Eve.