the name
given to the customs celebrated on the evening of October 31 in many parts of the
world. Hallows' Eve originated from the autumn festival of the
Druids (an ancient people of Britain, Ireland and
Northern Europe). The
calendar marked the new year on November 1st and the last evening of October was
thought to be the night when all witches,
demons and spirits of the
dead roamed the earth. To safeguard themselves,
Druids dressed up like witches and
ghosts to trick the
evil spirits into
thinking that they were one of them. Much later the
Christian church established November 1st as All
Saints Day in
honor of the
saints and the evening before became known as All Hallows' Eve (hallow means to
honor as holy,
sacred, etc.). This was later shortened to Halloween.