Saksham Sinha

Halloween’s roots in North America trace back to ancient Celtic and Christian traditions brought by European immigrants. The holiday has origins in the Celtic festival of Samhain, held around Nov. 1, which marked the end of summer and the harvest. Celts believed the line between the living and the dead blurred on Samhain, and they wore costumes and lit bonfires to ward off spirits. In the eighth century, the Catholic Church designated Nov. 1 as All Saints’ Day, incorporating some Samhain customs and creating All Hallows’ Eve, which became Halloween. The Puritans in early New England strongly opposed such observances, but in other colonies, celebrations were more common.

The modern American version of Halloween was greatly shaped by a wave of Irish immigrants in the mid-19th century, many of whom were fleeing the Great Potato Famine. They brought their folk customs, including the practice of carving jack-o’-lanterns, which were originally made from turnips. As the holiday practice grew, it began to incorporate American harvest traditions and community gatherings. In the late 1800s, there was a concerted effort to shift the holiday from its more superstitious and mischievous roots toward a community-centered event with games, parties, and festive costumes. 

By the early 20th century, Halloween’s focus had moved away from its religious and pagan origins toward secular, fun-filled activities. However, the holiday also became associated with pranks and vandalism, with property damage becoming a significant problem by the 1930s. In response, communities sought a more positive and controlled way for children to celebrate. The practice of “trick-or-treating”—an evolution of medieval European “souling” and Irish “guising”—gained widespread popularity in the 1940s and 1950s. This provided a constructive outlet for children to go door-to-door in costume to receive candy or other treats. 

Today, Halloween is a major cultural event in the United States marked by diverse celebrations. The focus has expanded to include haunted houses, parades, and elaborate costume contests for all ages. It has also become a significant commercial holiday, with Americans spending billions of dollars annually on candy, decorations, and costumes. Despite these modern developments, the holiday still draws on its ancient roots, blending Celtic and Catholic customs with uniquely American traditions to create a celebration that is both spooky and communal.