THE FACTS Neither the word Halloween or the date 31 October are mentioned in any Anglo-Saxon text indicating that it was just an ordinary day a thousand years ago.

ALL SAINTS DAY - 1 NOVEMBERIn the year 835 AD the Roman Catholic Church made 1st November a church holiday to honour all the saints. Although it was a joyous holiday it was also the eve of All Souls Day, so in Medieval times it became customary to pray for the dead on this date

WHERE DOES THE NAME HALLOWEEN ORIGINATE FROM?Halloween comes from All Hallow Even, the eve (night before) All Hallows day. Therefore, Halloween is the eve of All Saints Day.

WHAT SIMILARITIES ARE THERE BETWEEN THE CELTS AND HALLOWEEN?The Celts believed that evil spirits came with the long hours of winter darknessThe Celts built bonfires to frighten the spirits away, and feasted and danced around the firesBonfire celebrations moved to 5th NovemberIn England, the day of fires became 5th November), the anniversary of the Gunpowder plot of 1605, but its closeness to Halloween is more than a coincidence.

HALLOWEEN CUSTOMSIn Lancashire, 'Lating' or 'Lighting the witches' was an important Halloween custom. People would carry candles from eleven to midnight. If the candles burned steadily the carriers were safe for the season, but if the witches blew them out, the omen was bad indeed.

JACK-O-LANTERNSJack-o-laterns were named for a man who could not enter heaven because he was a miser, he could not enter hell either, because he have played jokes on the evil and he had to walk the earth with his latern until Judgment Day.FIREIn the old days people lit bonfires to scare away evil spirits they belived that light had the power over the darknessAPPLE BOBBINGIn October the romans remembered their goddess, Paoma, the goddess of the trees and fruits. When the romans came to Britain they do thes festivals.They play bobbing for apples , in wich apple are placed in a tub or a large basin of water you must take one bite to an appleDRESSING UPOn Halloween has it was belived that ghost came to the earth. People would wear mask when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake then.TICK OR TREATWhen children would knock on doors demanding a treat and people would disguise themselves to obtain food and money

On Halloween, journeys have to be finished before sunset. ·A piece of bread crossed with salt was carried in the pockets of travelers to keep them safe.Apples, nuts and candles figured prominently in many of the superstitions practiced at Halloween. HAZEL NUTSGirls placed hazel nuts along the front of the fire grate, each one to symbolize one of her suitors.  APPLES If you slice an apple through the equator and then eat it by candlelight before a mirror, your future spouse will appear over your shoulder.

-Halloween is always celebrated on 31 st October. -Halloween is one of the oldest celebrations in the world, dating back over 2000 years to the time of the cells who lived in Britain. -Halloween is welsh is “Nos Calan Gaeaf”. -When the Romans conquered England they merged Samhains with their own festivals. -Black cats were originally believed to protect witches´ powers from negative forces. -To meet a with, put tour   clothes on inside out and walk back words on Halloween nigh.