How did Halloween get started? Halloween takes place on October 31. For many people in the United States, it means children "trick or treating". How did it get started?

In ancient times the Celts who lived in what is now England, Ireland and Northern France celebrated the Festival of Saimhain ("SAW-WEN"). It was the night before the new year began and marked the end of harvest time. The Celts believed that on this night, witches and ghosts roamed around and the souls of the dead came back to visit where they lived. Bonfires were lit to scare away witches and lanterns put out to make the dead feel at home.

Later, Romans combined their own festival to honor the dead with Samhain Festival. The Catholic Church in A.D. 800 decided to make November 1 a holy holiday called "All Saints" or "Hallows Day". The night before became the "even" or eve. The "v" got dropped and Halloween was originated.

The church tried to discourage the belief that dead souls were in the air. In Ireland, people thought ghosts and spirits roamed the night. If they were outside, the people wore costumes and masks to frighten the spirits or to not be recognized.

"Trick or treat" originated in Ireland. Villagers went house to house asking for food to be used in a community feast. Those who gave were promised a prosperous year and those did not give were promised troubles or tricks.

Many Irish immigrated to the United States with this custom. Jack O'Lanterns were made with turnips in Ireland. In the United States pumpkins were used because they were easier to carve.