Facts of Halloween

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Facts of Halloween
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Halloween actually has its origins in the
Catholic Church. It comes from a contracted
corruption of All Hallows Eve. November 1st, All
Hallows Day (or All Saints Day) is a Catholic day
of observance in honor of saints.
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In Mexico, they celebrate El Dia de los Muertos
or the Day of the Dead starting the evening of
October 31st.
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The custom of Halloween was brought to America in
the 1840s by Irish immigrants fleeing their
countrys potato famine.
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On November 2nd, All Souls Day, early Christians
would walk from village to village begging for
soul cakes. This is one origin of
trick-or-treating.
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The Celtic festival of Samhain is the basis for
Halloween. Samhain, All Hallowtide, the feast of
the dead in Pagan and Christian times,
signalizing the close of harvest and the
initiation of the winter season.
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The day itself did not grow out of evil
practices. It grew out of the rituals of the
Celts celebrating a new year, and out of Medieval
prayer rituals of Europeans.
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In the 1800s, people started to have Halloween
parties. Part of the celebrations included
costumes, fortune telling, and games such as
bobbing for apples.
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At the turn of the century, cities were
overcrowded and Halloween marked the time to let
off steam by playing practical jokes. By the
1930s, things had gotten out of hand and serious
damage was being done on Halloween. Trick or
treating was promoted as an alternative to
vandalism.
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The Celts believed the souls of the dead visited
the earth every October 31st.