Halloween is a holiday that is celebrated on October 31st, the evening before All Saints Day. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was observed by the Celts of ancient Britain and Ireland. On this day, the new year was believed to begin, and it was considered the beginning of the winter period. Over time, Halloween has evolved into a secular holiday that is associated with a number of activities, including:

• Trick-or-treating: Children dress up in costumes and go from house to house with the threat that they will pull a trick if they do not receive a treat, usually candy.

• Wearing costumes: Celebrants wear masks and costumes for parties and for trick-or-treating.

• Carving pumpkins: Carving Jack-o’-Lanterns is a popular Halloween tradition.

• Playing pranks: Celebrants often play harmless pranks on each other.

• Lighting candles and bonfires: For much of the early history of Halloween, towering bonfires were used to light the way for souls seeking the afterlife. These days, lighting candles have generally replaced the large traditional blazes.

• Eating candy: Candy apples and candy corn are popular Halloween treats.

The holiday has its roots in both pagan and Christian traditions. The word "Halloween" comes from "All Hallows Eve," which was the evening before All Saints Day. Halloween was originally a religious holiday among Catholics, but it was largely forbidden among early American colonists. However, in the 1800s, festivals that marked the harvest and incorporated elements of Halloween began to develop. Today, Halloween is celebrated as a secular holiday and is associated with a number of fun and festive activities.