Holidays Explained: Halloween
While many countries celebrate some version of Halloween (it started in Ireland), it is a huge holiday in America, especially for young people. For international students, many of the traditions in the U.S. may seem a bit odd. So here's a brief rundown of some of the history, current statistics, and everyone's favorite: pictures of costumes!
History
Halloween comes from an ancient Celtic festival (Samhain), a time when folks would light fires and dress in costumes to ward off ghosts. The festival marked the end of summer and beginning of the dark, cold times, which is why the holiday is associated with death. It would eventually become known as All Hallows Eve.
The American version of Halloween began to take shape in the colonial period, mostly in the southern colonies. As more immigrants, specifically Irish, came into the country in the mid-1800s, they brought with traditions which became known as trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, and the wearing of costumes by the 1920s.
Numbers Today
- 41.1 million - estimated number of trick-or-treaters aged 5-14
- $2.5 billion - estimated amount Americans will spend on Halloween candy ($20 per household)
- $66 - average price Americans expect to spend on their costume
- 45% - number of Americans who will carve a pumpkin this year
- 1 billion - pounds of pumpkins produced
Pictures
Photos of students and their host families and friends celebrating Halloween.
BONUS: Halloween Tunes
Links to some of the best spooky jams of all time.