hey everyone I'm Alicia Halloween is a time for celebration in the USA it's
become the second most popular holiday in the nation over the years Halloween
is known for its oftentimes scary costumes elaborate parties and events
horror film festivals and its many gothic trappings this holiday was a late
comer to the u.s. not really becoming popular until the early 20th century
today it's one of the most anticipated holidays in the USA Halloween is very
much associated with scary costumes and things that are wonderfully creepy do
you know what holiday dressing up in scary costumes was likely borrowed from
will show you the answer at the end of this video people in the USA typically
carve pumpkins into scary jack-o'-lanterns decorate their houses
to look as creepy as possible and wear elaborate costumes to celebrate this
holiday these aspects of Halloween according to some have their roots in
various Celtic and European myths legends and cultural traditions today
popular horror films have also influenced the cultural traditions that
surround Halloween the monster movies of the early 20th century are significant
contributors to the look and feel of modern Halloween celebrations in the USA
trick-or-treating started at the beginning of the 20th century to curb
the vandalism and destruction that once characterized this holiday in the USA
today Halloween is a night when the streets are full of families getting
treats from their neighbors and vandalism and other problems are rare
some families and social groups set up elaborate haunted houses and invite
people to go through for free or for a donation hay rides and other nighttime
events are also very popular in rural areas check the local theaters and TV
stations around Halloween and you'll find plenty of scary stuff to watch too
over the years Halloween costumes in the USA have become more varied some people
particularly younger participants forgo the dark gothic theme of the holiday and
dress up as characters from adventure movies literary figures or even
historical figures and now here's the answer to the quiz do you know what
holiday dressing up in scary costumes was likely borrowed from Samhain is
considered to be a significant influence on Halloween celebrations though this is
disputed by some scholars Samhain was and still is to some extent celebrated
in Scotland and Ireland it's associated with the final harvest of the year more
than it is with scary ghouls and goblins those spirits do play a part the
dressing up was originally done to scare malicious spirits away or to trick them
into thinking that you were one of them to avoid harm how was this lesson did
you learn something interesting is Halloween celebrated in your country if
so how please leave a comment in English class 101.com until next time