Hallowmas - a Christian feast day honoring all the
saints, first observed in 835.

Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty
and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of
celebration and superstition. It is thought to have
originated with the ancient Celtic festival of
Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear
costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth
century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a
time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All
Saints' Day, incorporated some of the traditions of
Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows'
Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved
into a secular, community-based event characterized by
child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating.
In a number of countries around the world, as the days
grow shorter and the nights get colder, people
continue to usher in the winter season with
gatherings, costumes and sweet treats.

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