History of Halloween

The ancient Celtic people celebrated Samhain to mark the end of harvest season. It was a time when the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred, as ghosts visited earth. After the Roman Empire conquered the Celtic people, their festivals of Feralia (in which the the Romans honored the passing of the dead) and a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees, were combined with Samhain.

Taking place on November 1, the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day (All Hallows' Day) also contributes to Halloween's rich history. While All Saints' Day honors the saint...