Halloween was started on folk beliefs concerning supernatural forces and spirits of the dead. The name Halloween means Day of the Dead. It is a Mexican holiday that coincides with All Souls’ Day. It blends Roman Catholic and Native American traditions about the souls of the Day of the Dead.

On the Day of the Dead, Mexicans decorate their homes with playful imagery of animated human skeletons, leave offerings of food for wandering spirits, and tend the graves of their deceased relations. In England, Guy Fawkes’ Day, celebrated on November 5, has largely taken place of Halloween. On this patriotic day children light bonfires and burn effigies of Guy Fawkes. Guy Fawkes, was a conspirator who tried to blow up the English Parliament building in 1605.

Halloween is celebrated on October 31in the United States. It is not celebrated on the same day as other nations.

The Jack-o-Lantern is made to resemble a grotesque face and illuminated by a candle placed inside. The Jack-o-Lantern derives its name from a character in British Folktales. In the folktales, the soul of a deceased person named Jack O’Lantern was barred from both Heaven and Hell and was condemned to wander the earth. Orange and black colors associated with pumpkins and darkness respectively, figure prominently in most Halloween decorations.

 One of the most popular customs of Halloween is to dress up in costumes. Trick-or-Treating is another Halloween tradition, which is when children go from door to door. In order to greet the homeowner they would cry, “Trick-or-Treat!” Formerly, trick-or-treaters vandalized the house if no treats were produced or if the treats met to their with their disapproval. Since the early 20^th century, however, the threat of tricks has been largely ceremonial. Beginning in the 1970’s, the practice of trick-or-treating went into a sharp decline after unsubstantiated rumors spread about home- owners distributing poisoned Halloween candy to children.

Samhain was another event that was similar to Halloween. According to the religion, the spirits of those who had died in the preceding year roamed the earth on Samhain’s evening.

In the United States people celebrate their Halloween by perpetrating minor acts of vandalism, such as overturning sheds, and breaking windows. Halloween treats became plentiful while tricks were rare.

I am going to celebrate Halloween this year. This year I plan on going trick-or-treating with my friend Nicole. This year I plan on being an executor or a hockey player.