Turns out that trying to trace the history of Halloween is no
treat. Actually, it’s kind of tricky. Even the most basic
question, “When did it begin?” is a mystery. One source says the
holiday has been traced back to the 5th century BC in Ireland.
Another says the Middle Ages. And, when exactly were they? Well,
depending on whom you want to believe – and there is no
consensus among historians and educators – the era extended from
1000 to 1300BC. Or a not-even-close 476 to 1453. Or from 1066 to
1500 or any of dozens of other spans of time you can dig up in
an hour’s research with the biggest number of votes going to 500
to 1500C or the more inclusive 300 to 1600. Take your pick.
Despite the secular nature of Halloween as practiced in the U.S.
now, the holiday has pagan and religious roots. According to
gotquestions.org, a site with a Biblical focus, “Many believe
the festival of Samhain to have been the beginning of the Celtic
year. At Samhain, farmers brought livestock in from summer
pastures and people gathe