Facts about Halloween

The origin of Halloween dates back at least 3,000 years to the Celtic celebration of Samhain (pronounced "sow-ain"). The festival was held starting at sundown on October 31st and lasted until sundown on November 1st. It was similar to the modern practice of the New Years celebration. On this magical night, glowing jack-o-lanterns, carved from turnips or gourds, were set on porches and in windows to welcome deceased loved ones, but also to act as protection against malevolent spirits. Burning lumps of coal were used inside as a source of light, later to be replaced by candles.Samhain was not the name of a "Lord of the Dead", no historical evidence has ever been found to back this up, it was simply the name of the festival and meant "Summer's End". It was believed that the souls of the dead were closest to this world and was the best time to contact them to say good bye or ask for assistance. It was also a celebration of the harvest. It is still treated as such today by those who practice Wicca or other nature based religions. It has absolutely nothing to do with satan, who was a creation of the Christian church.When European settlers, particularly the Irish, arrived in America they found the native pumpkin to be larger, easier to carve and seemed the perfect choice for jack-o-lanterns. Halloween didn't really catch on big in this country until the late 1800's and has been celebrated in many ways ever since!

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1. The celebration of Samhain used to take two days.

True

2. Celtic tribes celebrated the end of summer on October 31st.

False

3. First jack-o-lanterns were carved from turnips.

True

4. Jack-o-lanterns were supposed to scare away evil spirits.

False

5. Samhain was the festival of satan.

True

6. Halloween was celebrated in America long before 1800's.

True

7. Irish settlers brought Halloween to America.

True

8. The souls of the dead were believed to be closest to this world on October 31st.

False

9.Burning twigs were used inside a pumpkin as a source of light.

True

10. Samhain meant "Summer's End".

True