Halloween
The observance of Halloween (All Hallow's Eve) on October 31 has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts, devils, and hobgoblins. The holiday dates back to the Celtic festival of Samhain thousands of years ago. The Celts believed that at the time of Samhain the ghosts of the dead were able to mingle with the living because that was when the souls of those who had died during the year traveled into the otherworld.
Over the years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed. Today, many Americans celebrate the traditions of Halloween by carving pumpkins, dressing in costumes, and telling tales of witches and ghosts. Children also go from house to house, calling out "trick or treat," hoping to have their bags filled with candy. Many communities celebrate Halloween by holding local parties and parades.
View the USA.gov Halloween website for Halloween facts, links for kids, safety tips, recipes, and more.
Additional Resources:
- Halloween Safety: Safety Alert
- Halloween Health and Safety Tips
- Stay Safe and Healthy This Halloween
- Halloween Food Safety
- Pumpkin Recipes
- Novelty Makeup
- Spooky Space "Sounds"
- The Halloween Capital of the World
The short link for this FAQ is http://1.usa.gov/qtlGKe