93)There are varying opinions as to how the Halloween custom originated and specifically what Halloween is celebrated for. Some claim Halloween is a kind of demon worship, while others believe it is just a harmless vestige of some ancient pagan ritual. Who knows? The word, “Halloween”, believe it or not, has origins in the Catholic Church and is derived from a contracted corruption of All Hallows Eve. November 1st, "All Hollows Day", or "All Saints Day", is a Catholic day of observance in honor of saints. In the 5th century BC, in Celtic Ireland, summer officially ended on October 31st. Halloween was called Samhain, the Celtic New year. The Halloween customs began in the U.S. around the 1840's by Irish immigrants fleeing their country's famine. |