From All Hallows’ Even to Halloween

October 31st, 2009

Smileycons! The word Halloween, originally spelled Hallowe’en, was shortened from All Hallows’ Even – e’en is a shortening of even, which is a shortening of evening. Holiday roots trace back to the Celtic festival of Samhain as well as the Christian day of All Saints. In the 800s, the Church measured the day as starting at sunset, in accordance with the Florentine calendar. Although All Saints’ Day is now considered to occur one day after Halloween, the two holidays were once celebrated on the same day.
Source: Wikipedia.org