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Estimated at least 2000 years ago
Celts celebrate Samhain as a harvest festival and believe that the dead returned to visit the living during this time. Video explanation and reference:
https://youtu.be/AxX1SZVpCd0?t=292 -
1st century CE
Roman conquest of what is currently northern Ireland.
Roman festivals of Feralia and Pomona are incorporated into Samhain festival, strengthening the festivals association with communing with the dead and adding an association of apples to the mix. References:
https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-halloween
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween -
8th century
Roman Catholic church establishes All Saints’ Day and All Hallows Eve the night before, originally in May and then moved to November 1st. References:
https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-halloween
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween -
15th Century
A custom of making and sharing "soul cakes" to give to the poor and offer to spirits themselves. The practice of going door to door to collect these cakes is called "souling." Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween -
Shakespeare mentions the practice of "souling" using lanterns made of hollowed turnips as lights to guide souls. Pumpkins are native to and more common in America, and the tradition changed from using turnips to pumpkins here. References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
https://link-gale-com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/apps/doc/A152575971/ITOF?u=csusj&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e4b1df8b -
Mid 19th Century
A flood of immigrants, particularly from Ireland, bring the tradition to America. Sources:
https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-halloween
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween -
Late 19th century
To move Halloween away from so-called pagan traditions and make it more of a community event, parties and food and candy are given to children and neighbors, rather than sacrifices to unruly spirits. References:
https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-halloween -
The practice of "souling" (visiting homes for treats) while dressed in disguises (known as "guising") is recorded in Scotland in 1895. Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween -
Classic John Carpenter slasher movie that led the franchise of thirteen total films Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_(1978_film) -
The National Retail Federation estimates that Halloween consumer spending this year will reach $13.1 billion.
Reference:
https://nrf.com/research-insights/holiday-data-and-trends/halloween