A Brief History of Halloween

Celtic Celebration of Samhain

Oct 31, 600

Celebration of the Celtic New Year, which begins on November 1. It was believed that ghosts of the dead returned to earth on this day.

All Hallows Eve

Oct 31, 700

The night before All Saints Day

All Saints Day

Nov 1, 700

Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints Day to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed this was done to offer a church sanctioned celebration in place of the pagan Celtic festival.

All Souls Day

Nov 2, 1000

A day to honor the dead. Together All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day combine to form Hallowmas.

Halloween brought to America

Oct 31, 1840

The Irish Potato Famine brought Irish immigrants and their custom of celebrating Halloween to America.

Halloween in Anoka, Minn.

Oct 31, 1921

First Official City-Wide Observance of Halloween

The War of the Worlds Broadcast

Oct 30, 1938

Orson Welles Broadcast Orson Welles is responsible for one of the best Halloween pranks ever!

World's Largest Jack-O-Lantern Carved

Oct 31, 2005

Largest Jack-O-Lantern Jack-o-lantern weighed 1469 lb and was carved by Scott Cully.

Full Moon Halloween

Oct 31, 2020

The year of the next full moon on Hallloween night!