Tonight, a trick-or-treater approached a house in Rhode Island and saw an empty candy bowl sitting on the porch.
Instead of leaving and heading to the next house, he promptly dug into his own candy stash, took a few pieces, and placed them in the bowl for the next guests.
Video: Ecknrj (Facebook)
Halloween, celebrated every year on October 31, has roots that stretch back more than 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated Samhain to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter — a time often associated with death and darkness.
During Samhain, it was believed that the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to return to Earth. To ward off these wandering souls, people lit bonfires and wore animal-skin costumes and masks, a tradition that eventually inspired modern Halloween costumes.
When Christianity spread through Celtic lands, the Church sought to replace pagan festivals with Christian holidays. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints’ Day (also known as All Hallows’ Day) to honor saints and martyrs. The night before became known as All Hallows’ Eve — eventually shortened to Halloween.
By the 19th century, as Irish and Scottish immigrants brought their customs to America, Halloween began to evolve into a more community-centered holiday. Bonfires gave way to pumpkin carving (inspired by the Irish legend of “Stingy Jack” and the jack-o’-lantern), while ghost stories, fortune-telling, and mischief became common ways to celebrate.
By the early 20th century, Halloween had transformed into the family-friendly holiday we know today — featuring trick-or-treating, costume parties, haunted houses, and creative displays. Modern celebrations emphasize fun, imagination, and community, while still echoing the ancient themes of mystery and the supernatural.
ContributorNovember 1, 20251 Mins read1 
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