Halloween
{hahl-oh-ween'}
Now a children's holiday, Halloween was originally a Celtic festival 
for the dead, celebrated on the last day of the Celtic year, Oct. 31. 
Elements of that festival were incorporated into the Christian holiday 
of All Hallows' Eve, the night preceding All Saints' (Hallows') Day. 
Until recent times in some parts of Europe, it was believed that on this 
night witches and warlocks flew abroad; and huge bonfires were built to 
ward off these malevolent spirits. Children's pranks replaced witches' 
tricks in the 19th century, but most of the other Halloween customs 
are probably survivals from the Celtic festival.