As the end of October approaches, we find ourselves preparing for one of the most anticipated events of the year—Halloween. Costumes, candy, and decorations take center stage, but have you ever wondered how this spooky tradition started? Halloween’s roots stretch back over 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”), which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on the night of October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred, and spirits roamed the earth (History.com). To be protected against these spirits, people lit bonfires and wore costumes to disguise themselves from any wandering ghosts.