On October 29th, Explore Middle School hosted a costume contest for all to celebrate Halloween. But amidst all this preparation, the deeper, creepier history of Halloween is celebrated.

The Celtics were the first to celebrate the first version of Halloween, called Samhain, 2000 years ago. They believed that from October 31 to November 1, souls and ghosts would be able to break the barrier between us and them.

The Celts wore costumes and made jack o'lanterns from turnips to repel/ward off ghosts. They would make offerings that would “protect” them by making the ghosts less hostile.

Halloween immigrated to America during the early 19th century. European immigrants (particularly the Irish) brought western culture, and with it the festival of Samhain, to the US. Over time the traditions changed to fit our modern Halloween.

Trick-or-treating began in the early nineteenth century. Children from the north-western part of Europe would go guising (disguising themselves in fancy clothing) and visit various homes to collect offerings. However, before receiving their “treat” they would have to perform. The performance could be singing, a poem, a joke, or a different “trick”. The version of Halloween celebrated by the US and Canada is very different from other holidays. Regions of Latin America and Mexico celebrated Dia De Los Muertos; the Day of the Dead. The English participate in Fawkes day. The English celebrate the holiday by making bonfires and launching fireworks. Currently, Ireland’s Halloween traditions are a blend of American and Celtic traditions.