Reading Comprehension · Social Studies
Halloween
A reading lesson about the long history of Halloween — from the ancient Celtic ritual of Samhain to the legend of Stingy Jack and the modern American trick-or-treat tradition.
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Subject
Reading Comprehension
Grade Level
Grades 4–7
Format
Lesson + Printable PDF
Access
Full Member
From Samhain to Halloween
Each year on October 31, we celebrate Halloween in the United States. Both children and adults all over the world celebrate Halloween, although on different days. Dressing in a costume is a well-known Halloween custom, and children go from door to door asking for treats — what we call trick-or-treating. Halloween has a long and serious history that goes back thousands of years.
The modern holiday is based on celebrations held by the Celts, who lived 2000 years ago in what is now England, Ireland, and northern France. They celebrated the New Year on November 1st, and on the night before, called Samhain, they believed the gods removed the separation between the afterlife and Earth so that spirits could return to wander the streets.
To prevent the spirits from causing trouble, the Celts left them gifts and treats and disguised themselves in costumes so the spirits would not recognize them. They held ceremonies and made loud noises to scare the spirits away. The Celts believed that if the spirits were happy with their gifts, the next year’s harvest would be good.
Jack-O’-Lanterns and American Halloween
Other Halloween traditions are based on superstitions. Common Halloween symbols like black cats, spiders, and bats actually symbolized good luck in ancient times. The jack-o’-lantern got its name from a British legend about a character named Stingy Jack who tried to make a deal with the Devil. According to the legend, the deal failed, and Stingy Jack was left to wander the earth forever carrying a lantern.
The name Halloween comes from Christianity. October 31st is the eve of All Saints Day, a Catholic holy day. When the Romans conquered the Celts, All Saints Day replaced Samhain, and the night before was called Hallowmas or Hallows Eve. Eventually, the day became known as Halloween.
By the late 1800s in America, immigrants had turned Halloween into a day for fun and parties rather than a day to ward off spirits. Town-wide Halloween parades became the most popular way to celebrate. In the 1950s, parades became less common, and Halloween was celebrated more among neighbors and in schools. Trick-or-treating grew more popular, and that tradition continues to this day.
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