(article)

Halloween is one of the brightest and most popular holidays in the United States of America, celebrated annually on October 31. This holiday combines elements of tradition and modern customs that unite children, teenagers and adults in costume parties, candy-hunting and scary stories.

History of the holiday

The tradition of celebrating Halloween dates back to the times of the Ancient Celts, who lived in Britain, Ireland and France about 2 thousand years ago. On the night of October 31 to November 1, they celebrated the holiday of Samhain – it was a holiday of the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. They believed that at this time the border between the world of the living and the world of the dead becomes thinner, which allows spirits to visit the earth. Over time, the holiday changed under the influence of Christian traditions and took on its modern form in North America, where immigrants from Ireland and Britain spread their customs.

Halloween began to be celebrated in the USA in the middle of the 19th century, and over time the holiday gained popularity throughout the country. Today, Halloween is an important part of American culture, and its celebration contains many different elements.

Costumes and transformations

One of the main traditions of Halloween is wearing costumes. Initially, costumes were worn to scare away evil spirits, but over time it turned into fun entertainment. Currently, the choice of costumes in the USA is very diverse – from scary images, such as vampires or witches, to comic book heroes, celebrities or fairy-tale characters. Zombies, ghosts and characters from horror films remain favorites. For many Americans, preparing a costume is an important part of the celebration, and sometimes even a whole art, because some costumes are impressive in their level of creativity and attention to detail.

Decorations and the atmosphere of the holiday

Americans begin to decorate their homes a few weeks before the holiday. Autumn decorations made of pumpkins, corn, hay and skeletons create a special mood. On porches and windows, lanterns made of pumpkins, known as “Jack-o’-lanterns,” appear. According to legend, this lantern symbolizes the soul of the cunning Jack, who tricked the devil and was forced to wander the world with a pumpkin glowing from the inside.

In addition to traditional lanterns, Americans also use decorative cobwebs, skeletons, mummies, and other spooky accessories. Some families decorate their homes so that they resemble real “haunted houses,” which children eagerly visit during the traditional trick-or-treating campaign.

The “Trick-or-Treat” tradition

One of the most beloved traditions of American children is “Trick-or-Treat,” a phrase with which children go from house to house and ask for sweets. Children dressed in costumes knock on doors and say this phrase, after which they receive a variety of treats – from sweets and chocolates to homemade pastries. There is even an unwritten rule that if the house is not decorated, it means that the owners are not participating in the celebration, so you should not go there.

Parties and parades

Halloween is a holiday not only for children, but also for adults. Many cities organize parades, the most famous of which is the Halloween Parade in New York, where thousands of people in costumes walk through the streets of Manhattan. Halloween parties are organized both in homes and in bars, where guests compete for the best costume. Many companies also hold themed corporate events where employees can show their creativity.

For fans of scary stories and thrills, visiting “houses of fear” is popular – specially equipped attractions, where actors in scary costumes create an atmosphere of horror. This is a favorite entertainment for teenagers and adults who want to feel the real adrenaline of meeting “monsters” and “ghosts”.

Why is Halloween so popular?

Halloween in the USA has become more than just a holiday – it is a whole cultural phenomenon that unites people and gives the opportunity to feel the spirit of fun, creativity and a little fear. Americans love this holiday for the opportunity to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of mysticism, adrenaline and fairy tales, regardless of age.

Halloween shows how ancient traditions can adapt to the modern world, preserving their roots while adding elements that make the holiday even more exciting. It is not just a night of ghosts, it is a celebration of fantasy and joy that unites Americans each year in creating a shared holiday wonder.