Halloween is a holiday where kids and even adults dress up and go “trick or treating”.They go to peoples' houses and ask for candy.
Halloween is a spooky holiday because people mostly dress up spooky and go trick or treating at night. It is celebrated each year on October 31.
The tradition
The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain,when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward of ghosts.In the eight century ,Pope Gregory III designed November 1 as the time to honor all saints. Soon, all Saints day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as Hallows Eve,and later Halloween.Over time Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick or treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings,wearing costumes and eating treats.
The story of Jack and the Jack-o-lanterns
Jack was miserable,old drunk who took pleasure in playing tricks on just about everyone: family,friends,and even the Devil himself. One day he tricked the Devil into climbing up on apple tree. After the Devil climbed up the tree Jack placed crosses around the trunk of the tree.Unable to touch the crosses the Devil was stuck on the tree. Jack made the Devil promise him not to take his soul when he dies. Once the Devil promised not to take his soul, Jack removed the crosses and the devil climbed down the apple tree.
Many years later, Jack died and he went to the pearly gates of the Heaven and was told by Saint Peter that he was mean and cruel and had led miserable, worthless life on earth, so Jack was not allowed to enter the Heaven. He then went down to Hell and the Devil kept his promise and did not allow him to enter Hell. Now Jack was scared and did not know where to go, but to wander about forever in the dark, Netherworld between Heaven and Hell. He asked the Devil how he could leave when there was no light.
The Devil tossed him an ember from the flames of Hell,to help Jack light his way.Jack had a Turnip with him.It was one of his favorite foods,he carried one with him.Jack hollowed the Turnip,and placed the ember Devil had given him,inside the Turnip.From the day onward, Jack roamed the Earth without a resting place, lighting his way as he went with his “Jack-o-Lantern”.
INTERESTING
On all Hallow’s Eve, the Irish hollowed out Turnips, rutabags,gourds,potatoes and beets.They placed a light in them to ward of evil spirits and keep Jack away.These were the original Jack-o-lanterns in the 1800’s when Irish immigrants came to America.
The Irish immigrants quickly discovered that pumpkins were bigger and easier to carve out. So they used pumpkins for Jack-o-Lanters.
Happy halloween!
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