The ancient origins of Halloween

Halloween's origins date back to this ancient festival:

• Roman festival of Halloween

• Celtic festival of Samhain

The Celts lived about 2,000 years ago in

• Portugal

• the USA

• Ireland and

  the United Kingdom

Why did the Celts celebrate their new year on November 1st?

• To honor the summer solstice.
• mark the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter.

• To celebrate the arrival of spring.

What did the Celts believe about the night of October 31?

• The Celts celebrated the harvest on October 31.
• The Celts thought October 31 was a day for honoring the sun.
• The Celts believed that spirits returned.

How did the Celts celebrate the holiday?

• The Celts celebrated the holiday of Samhain with bonfires, costumes, and rituals.

• The Celts marked the occasion with sports competitions and games.
• The Celts honored the holiday with silent meditation and fasting.

How did the Catholics change the holiday to fit their religion?

• They dedicated the day to martyrs and saints

• Catholics eliminated all pagan traditions and created a new holiday.