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  • 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 latecomer to the US, 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?

  • We'll 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 at Englishclass 101.com. Until next time!

Hey everyone, I'm Alicia.

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