October 31 is Halloween. It is a funny event in the USA and in the UK and, now, in many other countries.

Halloween has Celtic origins. The Celtic calendar was divided into two parts. Summer was from May to the end of October and winter was from November to the end of April. There was a special festivity of Samhain, celebrated at the end of the year: the Start of the Winter. It began on the 31st of October and continued until the next day. On October 31, Celts (who were great performers) performed religious rituals and talked about future events. The Celts believed that ghosts, witches, and evil spirits returned on the night of October 31. For this reason, they wore frightening costumes and made big bonfires to send them away.

The colours of Halloween (orange and black) are of Celtic origin, too. Orange was the colour of the harvest and black was the colour of the winter and long nights. Black cats are also popular among Halloween symbols because Celts believed they had special powers. During the centuries, the Catholic Church tried to explain this phenomenon, and in the 18th century, decided to call the evening of the 31st of October All Hallow's Eve (The day before the festivity of all the saints/hallows). All Saint Day was on the 1st of November. Now, Halloween is celebrated all over the world and it is becoming more and more popular Many children and adults go to Halloween parties wearing spooky costumes and creepy masks. Some typical costumes are witches, ghosts, skeletons, monsters, vampires and many people also get dressed as aliens, mummies and also fairies.

At school children make decorations for their classrooms such as pumpkins, ghosts, bats, witches. There are many party games, such as like Apple Bobbing and the most traditional one the 'Trick or Treating'. In many houses, it's a tradition to give sweets and sometimes money to the children who ask for it. It is also a tradition to make Jack-O'-Lanterns and Pumpkin Pies. Halloween is not just for children, many teenagers and adults wear costumes and go to parties on Halloween's night.

1. Halloween is a traditional American holiday.

2. There were all the four seasons in the Celtic calendar.

3. Celts were very artistic.

4. There was a special festivity to celebrate the start of the Summer.

5. On October 31 Celts exchanged gifts.

6. Halloween decorations are different colours.

7. A black cat is a special Halloween animal.

8. Celts wore witch and ghost costumes on Halloween to frighten their friends and relatives.-

9. Halloween was more popular in earlier times.-

10. Some international organisations celebrate Halloween nowadays.

11. Adults can't go to children's Halloween parties.

12. Apple Bobbing is a traditional Halloween dish.

13. Children traditionally give money to poor people on Halloween Day.

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