Halloween originated from the Celtic holiday of Samhain and the Catholic holiday of All Hallows Eve; while Halloween was brought to America by Irish immigrants in the 1840s, trick-or-treating comes from the European custom of "souling" and not America; activities associated with Halloween include trick-or-treating, bonfires, costume parties, visiting haunted houses, and carving jack-o-lanterns.

1. Halloween Jackie p.7

2. Origins The name Halloween comes from All Hallows Eve, which came the night before All Hallows Day, a Catholic celebration in honor of the saints. Many years before this holiday originated, the Celtic Irish celebrated October 31 as the end of the summer as well as the New Year and called it Samhain.

3. Halloween in America Halloween came to America during the 1840’s as Irish immigrants fled Ireland’s potato famine, but contrary to popular belief, this is not where trick-or-treating originated. Trick-or-treating comes from the European custom of “souling.” The day after “All Hallows Day,”

4. Activities Halloween is celebrated on October 31 of each year. Activities include trick-or-treating, bonfires, and costume parties, visiting haunted houses, and carving jack-o-lanterns. Halloween is celebrated in Ireland, the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, and in some parts of Australia and New Zealand.