Regardless of age, we all enjoy the last night in October. Halloween means candy, kids, costumes, haunted houses, jack-o'-lanterns, and parties. But how did we get the celebration we enjoy today? Here are some interesting facts on the history of Halloween.

• Halloween originated in Ireland about 2,000 years ago. It was part of a Celtic end-of-harvest celebration known as Samhain (pronounced 'sah-win'). It was celebrated on October 31, the last day of the Celtic calendar. Samhain was used by the ancient Celts to take stock of supplies and prepare for winter.
• The actual name 'Halloween' has its origins in the Catholic Church. The word is a corruption of All Hallows Eve, which is the first part of a three-day Catholic celebration (from October 31st through November 2nd) to honor the saints.
• The ancient Celts believed that spirits and ghosts of those who died in the previous year roamed on All Hallows Eve. They wore frightening masks and costumes so that these wandering spirits would leave them alone.
• Orange and black have become the 'official' colors of Halloween. Orange is associated with the fall harvest, and black is associated with darkness and death.
• A traditional food eaten on Halloween was barnbrack, a kind of fruitcake with a treat baked inside. The type of treat foretold the eater's future. For example, a ring meant the person would soon be married; a piece of straw meant that a prosperous year lay ahead.
• On the evening before All Hallows Eve, people left food on their doorsteps to keep hungry spirits from entering the house. This custom eventually led to the trick-or-treating of today.
• On Halloween, the Irish placed candles or coal in hollowed-out turnips on windowsills to frighten away spirits. These were the earliest jack-o'-lanterns. Irish immigrants to North America brought this tradition with them. Because turnips were not as readily available in the new country, pumpkins were carved instead, and the tradition caught on.
• Bobbing for apples originated from the Roman harvest festival held in honor of Pamona, the goddess of fruit trees. This game became part of the Celtic celebration after invasion by the Roman Empire.
• Besides the United States and Ireland, Halloween is celebrated today in Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. It is becoming more widespread in other parts of Europe and the Middle East.