The History of Halloween
B1. Complete the text about the history of Halloween with the correct words.
Halloween is celebrated on 31 October, but its history goes back more than 2,000 years. The ancient Celts, who lived in Ireland, Britain and northern France, celebrated a festival called Samhain. It marked the end of the and the beginning of the long, dark winter.
The Celts believed that on this night the world of the living and the world of the dead came close together, and the of the dead could return to earth. People lit huge , and some historians believe they wore made from animal skins to themselves, so the ghosts would not recognise them.
Later, the Christian church made 1 November All Saints' Day, also called All Hallows' Day. The night before became All Hallows' Eve, which was later shortened to "Halloween".
In the Middle Ages, poor people went from to door asking for food. In Scotland and Ireland, children up and sang songs or told jokes in exchange for fruit, nuts or coins. This custom was called "guising".
People in Ireland also scary faces into turnips and put candles inside to make . When Irish moved to America in the 1800s, they discovered that were bigger and much easier to carve.
In the twentieth century, became popular in the United States. Today, children in many countries knock on doors in their costumes, hoping to collect .
The Celts believed that on this night the world of the living and the world of the dead came close together, and the of the dead could return to earth. People lit huge , and some historians believe they wore made from animal skins to themselves, so the ghosts would not recognise them.
Later, the Christian church made 1 November All Saints' Day, also called All Hallows' Day. The night before became All Hallows' Eve, which was later shortened to "Halloween".
In the Middle Ages, poor people went from to door asking for food. In Scotland and Ireland, children up and sang songs or told jokes in exchange for fruit, nuts or coins. This custom was called "guising".
People in Ireland also scary faces into turnips and put candles inside to make . When Irish moved to America in the 1800s, they discovered that were bigger and much easier to carve.
In the twentieth century, became popular in the United States. Today, children in many countries knock on doors in their costumes, hoping to collect .