Halloween, the last day of October, has a special significance for children, who dress in funny or ghostly costumes and knock on neighborhood doors shouting "Trick or Treat!" Pirates and princesses, ghosts and witches all hold bags open to catch the candy or other goodies that the neighbors drop in.

Since the 800's, November 1st is a religious holiday known as All Saints' Day. The Mass that was said on this day was called Allhallowmas. The evening before became known as All Hallow’s eve, or Halloween for short. Like some other American celebrations, its origins lie in both pre-Christian and Christian customs.

While not an official holiday, the traditional October 31 Halloween celebration is much beloved by children of the United States, for whom the day is a chance to wear costumes often depicting ghosts, goblins and other "supernatural" creatures and to collect candy and other treats from adults. Most Americans consider Halloween a festive occasion, but its roots long predate the United States and its meaning has changed greatly over time. Even today, many other nations celebrate their own versions of this long-observed festival.

Pumpkins are also a symbol of Halloween. The pumpkin is an orange-colored squash, and orange has become the other traditional Halloween color. Carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns is a Halloween custom also dating back to a superstitious legend started in Ireland. A legend grew up about a man named Jack who was so stingy that he was not allowed into heaven when he died, because he was a miser. As a result, Jack had to walk the earth with his lantern until Judgment Day. The Irish people carved scary faces out of turnips, beets or potatoes representing "Jack of the Lantern," or jack-o'-lantern. When the Irish brought their customs to the United States, they carved faces on pumpkins because in the autumn they were more plentiful than turnips. Today jack-o'-lanterns in the windows of a house on Halloween night let costumed children know that there are goodies waiting if they knock and say "Trick or Treat!"

Today school dances and neighborhood parties called "block parties" are popular among young and old alike. More and more adults celebrate Halloween. They dress up as historical or political figures and go to masquerade parties. In larger cities, costumed children and their parents gather at shopping malls early in the evening. Stores and businesses give parties with games and treats for the children. Teenagers enjoy costume dances at their schools, and the more outrageous the costume the better! Certain pranks such as soaping car windows and tipping over garbage cans are expected. But partying and pranks are not the only things that Halloween-ers enjoy doing. Some collect money to buy food and medicine for needy children around the world.

Discussion Questions:

• 1. What did you learn about Halloween from this article? What might you still be curious about?

  2. Is Halloween a holiday that you would allow your kids to celebrate as mentioned in the article?

  3. What similar holiday(s) to Halloween do you have in your culture?

  4. Have you ever carved a pumpkin? What were the results?

  5. Have you ever been to a costume party before? What was it like?