As the Halloween season approaches, many of us are left wondering, “How did this even start?” After some investigation, we’ve found the answer.

Halloween’s initial beginnings were fairly religious even though this association has faded. The modern rendition of Halloween, commonly celebrated in the Western world, has its earliest source in a Celtic tradition known as Samhain. This festival essentially celebrates the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.

There was a belief that during the festival the souls of the dead would visit the living on the earth, including evil spirits. This also led to the adoption of masks. The Gaelic people put on masks because they believed they hid them from the evil spirits prying around.

Halloween came to America following Irish immigrants. It was initially not very popular due to aversion from the earlier colonists, but with time it began to gain popularity, and certain traditions such as “trick-or-treat” were created.

Halloween is still one of the most recognisable and beloved holidays in the United States. It brings people together to enjoy the night and have fun dressing up.