Top Hat Skeleton 26068 by Old World Christmas

Halloween has its origins in the ancient festival of Samhain, the Celtic New Year, when spirits were allowed to return to earth to visit. Christianity incorporated this into All Hallow’s Eve, Oct. 31, prior to All Saints Day. The Irish brought Halloween to America in the 1840s, with the tradition of dressing in costumes and playing pranks in the hope of keeping evil spirits away.