Halloween Cats

History of Halloween:

• The Celts believed that souls of the dead visited the earth every October 31.
• All Hallows Eve was the evening before All Saints Day which is celebrated on November 1.
• In Mexico, they celebrate El Dia de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead starting the evening of October 31.
• Halloween also marks the end of harvest season. The end of October marks the time that pastures and fields dry up. The animals were brought in from the pasture to be butchered and the remaining vegetables left in fields and gardens were left to rot. This part of the season often brought about reminisce of loved ones that were lost.
• In 1800's people started to have parties. Part of the celebrations included costumes, fortune telling and games such as bobbing for apples.
• At the turn of the century, cities were overcrowded and Halloween marked the time to let off steam by playing practical jokes such as turning over out houses. By the 1930's things had gotten out of hand and serious damage was being done on Halloween. There was a movement to have children go door to door and ask for candy as an alternative to vandalism.

Traditional Observance of Halloween:

• Home owners display decorations on their house such as Jack O'lanterns (a carved, the lit pumpkin), scare crows, fake cemeteries, spider webs and other decorations. Some even play spooky music that can be heard in their yards.
• Trick or Treating
  In the evening children dress up in costumes, and they go door to door in their neighborhoods. When the homeowner opens the door, they say "Trick or Treat". The home owner gives the children candy.
• Costume Parties
  People attend costume parties and dress to disguise their appearance. Often there are prizes for the best costume.
• Some people do mischievous things on Halloween such as spraying other people with shaving cream, throwing eggs, or TPing (covering with toilet paper) houses and trees. Damaging another's person property or assault is illegal in the United States.