History of Halloween, from Ancient Celts to Modern Day Traditions (#041)

Have you ever wondered why we carve pumpkins, dress up, and celebrate all things spooky on Halloween? In this episode, Maria dives deep into the fascinating history of Halloween, exploring how this beloved holiday evolved from ancient traditions to the playful celebration we know today.

What You’ll Learn:

• The origins of Halloween in ancient Celtic and Roman festivals
• How Samhain traditions influenced today’s Halloween customs
• The history behind trick-or-treating, costumes, and jack-o'-lanterns
• How Halloween transitioned to a community-focused celebration in the 20th century
• Discovering medieval traditions like “souling” and “guising” and their connection to modern Halloween activities

Important Links:

• Historical information on Samhain and Celtic traditions – https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/samhain
• The origins of jack-o’-lanterns and traditional turnip carvings – https://www.history.com/news/history-of-the-jack-o-lantern-irish-origins
• IMAGES: Absolutely terrifying turnip carvings that would ward off any evil spirit: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/when-people-carved-turnips-instead-of-pumpkins-for-halloween-180978922/

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Background music by SOULFULJAMTRACKS from Pixabay.