Halloween With 'Mysterious Spooks Are Here' Postcard

Halloween's origins are deeply rooted in ancient Celtic traditions, particularly the festival of Samhain, which marked the end of summer and the harvest, and was believed to be a time when the boundary between the living and the dead blurred. This pagan festival later merged with Christian observances of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, evolving into All Hallows' Eve. Large-scale Irish and Scottish immigration to North America in the 19th century brought these diverse customs, including bonfires, divination games, and costuming, which laid the foundation for the modern holiday.