Happy Halloween — Thanks to the Irish!?

We here at Law Badgers love Halloween — a crazy fun day that’s not just for kids anymore. Did you know that Americans on average spend more on Halloween than any holiday other than Christmas? But where did this strange celebration of all things dark and scary come from? Here’s the very shortened version.

The Celtic Origins

A long time ago, Britain and Ireland were occupied by the Celts — tribes led by priests known as Druids. In late October each year, the Celts held a massive festival marking the transition from summer to winter. People lit bonfires and wore masks to confuse or scare off evil spirits.

When the Roman Empire expanded through Britain, they suppressed Celtic culture. But Ireland remained untouched by Roman military might, and Celtic practices and Druid traditions continued to flourish long after Rome fell.

Christianity and All Hallows’ Eve

Then came Christianity. Missionaries like St. Patrick urged the Irish to abandon their pagan ways. In the 9th century, Pope Gregory IV moved All Saints Day to November 1 — perhaps to compete with the pagan fall festivities.

But old habits die hard. Even as Christianity took hold, the Irish continued holding onto some traditions — limited to the day before All Saints Day. In Old English, All Saints Day was called “Hallows’ Day.” The day before was “Hallows’ Eve” — eventually just “Halloween.”

Stingy Jack and the Jack o’ Lantern

The most famous Irish Halloween legend is Stingy Jack — a notorious prankster who tricked the Devil into promising never to take his soul. When Jack died, Heaven wouldn’t take him and the Devil kept his promise. Jack was doomed to wander the earth in darkness. The Devil tossed him a burning ember, and Jack hollowed out a turnip to carry it. Thus “Jack of the Lantern” — the Jack o’ Lantern — was born.

Coming to America

In the 19th century, Irish immigrants brought their Halloween traditions to North America — and discovered that pumpkins made much better lanterns than turnips. By the mid-20th century, communities organized parades and candy-giving to channel children’s Halloween mischief into something less destructive. And by the end of the 20th century, Halloween exploded into the adult spectacle it is today.

Fun fact: 80% of all commercially grown pumpkins in the U.S. come from within a 90-mile radius of Peoria, Illinois.

Have a safe and happy Halloween from the Law Badgers!