Halloween originated over 2000 years ago when the Catholic Church designated November 1st as All Hallows Day. Celtic traditions evolved Halloween into a festival on October 31st where people would dress in costumes and carry carved pumpkins or carrots to ward off spirits returning to earth. Over time, Halloween evolved into a celebration where people dress in costumes and go trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins became a tradition, and the holiday spread and grew in popularity around the world.

1. History of Halloween

2. More than 2000 years ago, the Catholic Church in Europe set November 1st as "ALL HALLOWS DAY.

3. It is said that in 500 BC, the Celtic living in Ireland and Scotland moved up the date of Halloween to October 31.

4. The Celtic believed the spirits of the dead would go back where they lived when they were alive to search for chances to come back to life on the day of October 31st. So the Celtic would go on the streets, carry carrot lights and dress themselves like devils to scare the spirits away.

5. Later, carrot lights were gradually replaced by pumpkin lights, also known as "Jack Lights."

6. Carving pumpkins and masks also became one of the Halloween customs. And orange became Halloween’s theme color.

7. Over time, Halloween became a happy festival.

8. Halloween images of all sorts of monsters and devils also started to look cute.

9. Today, people like to dress themselves in different “devil clothing” and go on the streets to participate in various celebrations just like attending a big costume ball.

10. European custom called “souling” Christians would beg for soul cakes Families would give soul cakes in return for a promise to pray for the family’s relatives Eventually children adopted the tradition and started given food, candy, money, etc. Trick-or-Treat

11. Halloween is becoming more and more popular in the East. A lot of stores start to launch Halloween promotions. Young people like Halloween now just like they like Christmas.

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