Evolved from a Druid harvest holiday, a Roman festival known as [Pomona Day]? and the Christian "Day of the Dead".
On October 31st after crops were harvested Druids in Britain would light fires and offer sacrifices of crops and animals. As they danced around the fires, the season of the sun passed and the season of darkness would begin. When the morning of November 1 arrived, the Druids would give an ember from their fires to each family who would then take them home to start new cooking fires. These fires would keep the homes warm and free from evil spirits. A 3 day festival called Samhain (pronounced "sow-en") followed.
The Romans invaded Britain in the 1st century and brought with them the festival known as Pomona Day, named for the goddess of fruits and gardens. It was celebrated around the 1st of November.
In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints' Day to replace the pagan festival of the dead. It was observed on May 13. Later, Gregory III changed the date to November 1.
October 31st became known as All Hallow Even, eventually All Hallow's Eve, Hallowe'en, and then - Halloween.
The custom of trick-or-treating is thought to have evolved from the 9th-century European custom called souling. On November 2, All Souls Day, Christians would walk from village to village begging for "soul cakes" - square pieces of bread with currants. Beggars would promise to say prayers on behalf of dead relatives helping the soul's passage to heaven.
Irish emigrants from the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-46 brought with them the holiday of Halloween to the United States.
Some Christian groups consider Halloween a Pagan holiday and refer to it as "The most evil day of the year".
Halloween is associated with trick-or-treating, [ghost stories]?, pumpkins, jack o'lanterns, witches, [black cats]?, costumes?, and parties. Children often dress up in costumes and knock on neighborhood doors saying, "Trick or Treat".
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