Halloween 2023: Date, History, Activities, Facts about Halloween

Halloween 2023: October 31, 2023, will unquestionably be the most eerie and ghostly of all holidays: Halloween. As trick-or-treating, children attend parties or stroll their neighborhoods carrying candy-filled jack-o’-lanterns while dressed as their beloved characters, such as Batman, the Joker, Wonder Woman, or others. While we collectively binge-watch our beloved horror films, screams can be heard emanating from living rooms across the nation, and eerie decorations adorn porches and windows.

Despite the fact that this year’s Halloween is anticipated to be somewhat different, See’s Candies wished to assure everyone that it is still possible to enjoy oneself safely while celebrating. There exist numerous alternatives to engaging in door-to-door trick-or-treating for Halloween candies as a means of commemorating the holiday.

Halloween 2023: History

Halloween is a fascinating journey through time due to the fact that numerous traditions trace back to its pagan roots. The Halloween custom of diving for apples, for instance, evokes thoughts of the Roman conquest of England. Partisan Romans carried an apple tree, which served as a symbol for Pomona, the goddess of abundance. Amidst the waters of an annual festival, youthful individuals contemplating matrimony bit into fruits that were adrift. Beliefs held that whoever bit the fruit would soon be wed.

However, we must truly credit the Celts for Halloween. They inhabited regions that are now considered to be northern France, modern-day Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Thousands of years ago, the Celtic Fire Festival of Samhain commemorated the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the new year on November 1. This festival is the pagan origin of Halloween.

To ward off evil spirits, Pagans adorned themselves in elaborate attire and constructed fires during this festival; bear this in mind as you don your Dracula fangs! As the winter nights of darkness symbolized death, the Celts held the belief that the deceased would reappear on October 31 and mingle with the living. Almost sounds like zombies, does it not?

Around the eighth century, as the Christian influence on society began to expand, new Celtic customs and traditions were introduced and assimilated. All Souls Day was observed by Christians on November 2; it was a day of remembrance for the deceased, similar to how the Celts observed Samhain. Approximately at this juncture, the evening preceding the festival acquired the moniker “All Hallows Eve.”

Following the official rescheduling of All Hallows Day to November 1, 835, the 31st of October came to be known as All Hallows Eve, and the holiday we recognize and appreciate today began to take shape. By the 12th century, these days had acquired sacred significance across Europe, and pervasive practices had developed, including the ringing of church bells to pray for the souls of those in purgatory.

On an ordinary Halloween, a solemn crier adorned in black would parade through the streets, clanging bells and beseeching the community to offer prayers for the souls of the deceased. During this period, the phenomenon known as “souling” emerged; however, additional details regarding this can be found in the trick-or-treat section. During the Middle Ages, when churches could no longer afford to exhibit the relics of martyred saints, congregation members began an annual practice of donning their attire. This may provide a partial explanation for the origin of the Halloween costume tradition.

Halloween gained significant popularity in the United States during the 19th century, owing to the Irish and Scottish immigrants who were introducing their fervor to the occasion. The greatest transformation since its inception is that Halloween has become more secular than religious. By the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween celebrations and parades had become an integral part of the festivities, and the day was observed without regard to religion or race from coast to coast.

It is said that trick-or-treating originated from the medieval practice of “souling,” in which churchgoers would visit various parishes and request soul cakes, which were pastries intended for the wealthy. They would reciprocate by shedding spiritual wings over them and their companions. Individuals who were “souling” would tote lanterns constructed from hollowed-out turnips. Indeed, that turnip has transformed into a pumpkin at this point, and the jack-o’-lantern is said to have symbolized the spirits of the deceased in the past.

During the latter half of the 19th century, children residing in Scotland and Ireland engaged in the “guising” custom, which involved donning elaborate costumes and visiting neighbors’ doors to accept gifts. In general, the children would receive small portions of sustenance in recognition of their endeavors. In America, the first documented occurrence of this occurred in 1911. In Alberta, Canada, trick-or-treat was initially documented in 1927; by the 1930s, it had begun to gain traction as a socially anticipated occasion.

By the 1950s, Halloween had evolved into a predominantly child-oriented celebration. As children dressed in costumes and traversed their communities in search of candies, trick-or-treating became commonplace. As Halloween became more ingrained in popular culture, horror films were frequently released in conjunction with the occasion. “Halloween,” “Nightmare on Elm Street,” and “Friday the 13th” are examples of films that have become holiday classics.

Presently, Halloween stands as the second most lucrative commercial holiday in the United States, garnering an annual expenditure of $6 billion. A multitude of customs, including trick-or-treating, costume gatherings, and horror film viewing, collectively contribute to the nationwide celebration of this momentous occasion.

Halloween exploits our fears. Do you find killer clowns and antique figurines eerie? Do insects and bats cause your skin to crawl? Does the sight of blood induce dizziness in you? Avoid entering that room and staying indoors on Halloween. However, take a glance over your shoulder if you do. Celebrate Halloween as a child or assume a new persona. Beware of apparitions such as spirits, goblins, and objects that “bump” during the night. Consume an unlimited amount of confectionery as your stomach can accommodate. Appreciate experiencing complete terror for a single night. I wish all individuals a joyous Halloween.

Engaging in Halloween-related activities

Distribute chocolates

When you reach the age of no longer participate in trick-or-treating, it is appropriate to repay the favor! A disguise and wig (but not too frightening!) And as your audio setup generates groans, howls, and chains that rattling, distribute copious amounts of confectionery. Plan some elaborate Halloween activities for the children.

Explore a haunted dwelling

Momentarily lose control while in a haunted home. Determine who leaps the most, but keep in mind that the scene is completely fictitious and enjoy yourself. (Or, Is it the case?)

Embark on a nostalgic trip through “War of the Worlds” in its original form

On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre on the Air program broadcast a terrible rendition of H.G. Wells’ classic “War of the Worlds.” A widespread misperception of the broadcast’s authenticity ensued, causing widespread panic throughout the nation. Just before Halloween, gather some friends, crack open some popcorn, and indulge in some candies while traveling back in time to hear one of the greatest voices manipulate your emotions.

We are dropping five Halloween facts into your trick-or-treat bag

• The custom of distributing “soul cakes” originated in England during the Middle Ages, when impoverished individuals known as “soulers” visited households door-to-door on October 31 to obtain tiny, round cakes or “souls” as a means of paying homage to the deceased. Present day, soul pastries continue to be exchanged between Portugal and Ireland, among other nations.
• According to the Department of Agriculture, the pumpkin industry in the United States produces more than 500 million pounds from 15,000 acres.
• Candy maize, which remains remarkably unchanged since its introduction in the 1880s, was initially marketed as “chicken feed” featuring rooster images on the packaging to appeal to the agricultural sector, as documented in “National Geographic.”
• Have you ever noticed how strikingly William Shatner looks like the mask that Michael Meyers wears in the classic movie “Halloween”? Before widening the pupils and painting them white, the producers of the 1978 film “Halloween” discovered the iconic appearance on a “Captain Kirk” mask in a Hollywood magic shop.
• Due to sugar rationing implemented as a war effort measure, the observance of Halloween was temporarily suspended until the post–World War II era. Following the conclusion of the war, candy companies increased their advertising efforts, which propelled Halloween to prominence as the subsequent main holiday following Christmas.

Marlborough Anniversary Day 2023: Date, History, Activities, Facts about Marlborough

Halloween 2023: Dates

Year	Date	Day
2023	October 31	Tuesday
2024	October 31	Thursday
2025	October 31	Friday
2026	October 31	Saturday
2027	October 31	Sunday