Halloween’s story begins over 2,000 years ago with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced "sow-in"), a time when the veil between the living and the dead was believed to be at its thinnest. 

On October 31st, the Celts would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off wandering spirits. Imagine people in animal skins and spooky masks, trying to keep pesky ghosts from crashing their end-of-harvest party!

Fast forward to the 8th century, and Pope Gregory III decided to turn the spooky celebrations into something a bit more church-friendly. He named November 1st All Saints' Day—also known as "All Hallows' Day"—and October 31st became "All Hallows’ Eve," which eventually transformed into Halloween. The spooky spirit of Samhain lingered, and people continued the tradition of costumes, but now with a Christian twist.

When Halloween came to America, it mixed with other autumn traditions, creating a unique blend of ghost stories, community gatherings, and good old-fashioned mischief. By the early 20th century, the spooky holiday was evolving into a family-friendly event. The idea of trick-or-treating took off in the 1930s and 1940s, inspired by old practices of giving "soul cakes" to those who promised to pray for the souls of loved ones.

Today, Halloween is a delightful mix of ancient beliefs, medieval prayers, and modern sugar overload. Whether you're carving jack-o'-lanterns—originally made from turnips in Ireland—or dressing as a vampire, it’s a night for everyone to enjoy a good scare, celebrate the weird and mysterious, and, of course, eat way too much candy!