History of Halloween

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Halloween: Get Wicked on the Web

It's the second largest commercial holiday in America, but your Halloween celebration can be as homemade or as far over the top with special effects as you want. On the Web, you can discover the history of this holiday, learn to plan a spooky party, find that costume you've dreamt about since last year, become an expert pumpkin carver, or find the most terrifying haunted house in your neck of the woods.

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History of Halloween

You’ve probably heard the phrase “all hallows” floating around at this time of year—but do you know what it really has to do with Halloween? You’ll find out on the Web. Below are sites detailing the history of the holiday and its evolution to the current costume-driven celebration.

Dulcinea's Insight

When researching history on the Web, be sure to consult unbiased sources, such as university libraries and official government sites. When researching Halloween, you’ll find that there are many sites with religious slants, which does not always guarantee accurate information.

Try searching for “Halloween+history” in the archives of your favorite newspaper online. Most run seasonal and holiday pieces each year. For example, a search of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel revealed this feature article discussing a few of the holiday’s quirks and traditions.

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History.com , the online outlet of the History Channel, presents a three-part lesson on the history of Halloween. Beginning with the holiday’s ancient Celtic origins, the article progresses to an explanation of modern traditions, such as trick-or-treating. The manner in which meanings and customs of Halloween have changed is discussed as well.

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HowStuffWorks gives you the details on Halloween. In addition to ancient Celtic info, this section provides further in-depth sections on specific traditions, such as carving jack-o’-lanterns and bobbing for apples. Ever wondered why people love being scared? Check out the interesting analysis of why Halloween is so popular.

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The Library of Congress has an online collection that includes content from the American Folklife Center. This section covers the “Fantasy and Folklore” of Halloween, detailing its progression from “Samhain,” a Celtic festival, to the Christian “All Hallows” celebration.

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The Washington Post includes this article about the origins of Halloween rituals. Outlined are three categories of symbols recognized by cultural anthropologists as being quintessentially Halloween: death, evil and misfortune, and harvest. The article provides a thought-provoking analysis of society’s celebration of the holiday.

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Who Knew?

The National Retail Federation furnishes articles about the money and marketing thrown into Halloween in the United States. Learn, for example, that the average American is expected to spend $64.82 on Halloween-related items.

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The National Review Online presents this article discussing the relationship between Dante’s Divine Comedy and modern day Halloween. The author makes an intriguing assertion: both the literary work and the holiday revel in being scared, but Halloween has lost its connection to the souls of the dead, ultimately making it less frightening.

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