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Jack o' Lantern made for the Holywell Manor Halloween celebrations, 2003. Wikimedia Commons (Toby Ord, CC)

Halloween

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition
Halloween , Oct. 31, the eve of All Saints' Day , observed with traditional games and customs. The word comes from medieval England's All Hallows' eve (Old Eng. hallow = "saint" ). However, many of these customs predate Christianity, going back to Celtic practices associated with Nov. 1, which was Samhain , the beginning of winter and the Celtic new year. Witches and other evil spirits were b... Read more

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