Halloween

Today's Halloween customs are thought to have been influenced by folk customs and
beliefs from the Celtic-speaking countries, some of which have pagan roots, and others
which may be rooted in Celtic Christianity.
In ancient ritain and Ireland, the Celtic !estival of "amhain was celebrated on the #$
st
of
%ctober, at the end of summer&. The souls of the dead were supposed to revisit their
homes on this day and the autumnal festival ac'uired sinister significance, with ghosts,
witches, black cats, fairies and demons of all kinds which were said to be roaming about.
Halloween was thought to be the most favorable time for divinations concerning
marriage, luck, health, and death. It was the only day on which the help of the devil was
invoked for such purposes.
Halloween symbols, customs, and practices have had a variety of influences upon
(estern culture throughout history. However, in early )merican history, Halloween was
not celebrated due to )merica*s strong Christian heritage. It was not widely celebrated
until the twentieth century. Initially, it was practiced only in small Irish Catholic
settlements, until thousands of Irish migrated to )merica during the great potato famine
and brought their customs with them. To some degree, our modern Halloween is an Irish
holiday with early origins in the Celtic winter festival. Interestingly, in )merican culture,
the rise in popularity of Halloween also coincides with the national rise in spiritism that
began in $+,+.
HALLOWEEN JOKES
1) What do you say to a ghost with three heads?
Answer: Hello, hello, hello

!) What "ind o# street does a ghost li"e $est?
Answer: A dead end

%) Where do &a'(ires li&e?
Answer: )n the *a'(ire State +uilding

,) Why are $la-" -ats su-h good singers?
Answer: .hey are &ery 'ewsi-al

/) What do you -all serious ro-"s?
Answer: 0ra&e stones

1) What2s a &a'(ire2s #a&orite #east?
Answer: 3angsgi&ing 4ay dinner

5) What is a wit-h2s #a&orite su$6e-t?
Answer: S(elling