History

The origins of Halloween are very different from the Halloween we know today. Halloween, or all hallows eve, started with the ancient Celts festival of Samhain. People would wear costumes and have bonfires to ward off ghosts or spirits. The Celts celebrated New Year's on November 1st to signal the beginning of the harvest season and believed on October 31, the boundaries between the living and the dead were so thin that the dead could come back and visit and cause mayhem. They also believed that the presences of spirits allowed the priests to make predictions about their futures making the long winters easier to endure. Therefore they sacrificed animals to burn in the bonfire and dressed in animal heads and skins to celebrate and to tell each other's fortunes. When Rome took over the Celtic region, their cultures blended in with the Celts rituals and by the 9th century, Christian views had entered the Celtic region blending old and new traditions together so the church named November 2nd as all soul's day.

So how did Halloween become the way it is today?

American didn't really celebrate Halloween due to the Protestant views that were originally in place, but in the late 19th century, immigrants started coming to America, such as the Irish fleeing the potato famine that popularized Halloween. Americans then started to dress up and go door to door asking for food or money. Later, Halloween became a holiday for community get togethers creating the Halloween parties we see today. In the 1950s, because of all the baby boomers, Halloween became a holiday directed towards kid friendly areas such as schools and homes. The idea of trick or treating continued as a way for the community to share this holiday. In the 21st century, Halloween is the second largest commercial holiday!

How Can I Celebrate Halloween Safely this year?

This year, unlike any other, we've had a lot to deal with. Now that the holidays are coming up we can still enjoy them, but in a safe way. There are many indoor activities available as well as some distanced outdoor activities. You can start by watching scary movies with your family and friends (Netflix party) and dressing up or carving pumpkins. As for outdoor activities, here are some places in New York City you could visit! Happy a happy and safe Halloween!!