Halloween

Halloween is celebrated in about 20 countries around the world. Within those few countries only about three-five celebrate this holiday the same was as America. Most of the countries have little traditions like lighting a candle, putting bread out on a nightstand and other things related to "keeping the dead away". However America seems to take this holiday somewhat to the extreme considering how other countries celebrate it. In America we decorate our houses and have parties and send children out in the night dressed up as fictional characters so they are given candy. Have you ever really thought about how crazy that sounds? Now I love Halloween as much as the next person but I just don't understand the big deal about it. After researching it I found that this holiday originated in Ireland and the 'trick-or-treating' came from mumming a medieval practice in which people would dress up and invade homes and do dances and other spiritual acts in honor of the dead. I find this interesting because this one event done many years ago was passed on and is now an important part of America's Halloween culture.