History of Halloween - Documentary

In this documentary, we explore the roots of Halloween - the legends, myths, culture behind it, and more.
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Patreon: www.Patreon.com/Fireoflearning
Music by Kevin MacLeod. Available under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.
incompetech.com
Snow queen
lIGHTLess dawn
Celtic Impulse
Bump in the night
Gregorian Chant
Moonlight Hall
Master of the Feast
One eyed maestro
Ghost Processional
Ghost Story
Comfortable Mystery
Ghost Dance
Darkest Child
Laid Back Guitars
Chase Pulse
Moonlight Hall
Frost Waltz
Picture sources
Interloper by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
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By Linking Paths - Flickr: Halloween 2008 Pumpkin workshop, CC BY-SA 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index... Anthony22 at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0,
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By InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA - Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, CC BY-SA 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Eric Garcetti - getty house - halloween '13-3297, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Toby Ord - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Nesnad - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Jordi Cueto-Felgueroso Arocha - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Philippe Alès - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Ctny - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Original uploader was Mnb at zh.wikipedia - Transferred from zh.wikipedia; transferred to Commons by Shizhao using CommonsHelper., CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By cat's_101 from Japan - Flickr, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Nyri0 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Marek Novotnak - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Flominator - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
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[@Fireoflearning]

1. Correction - The notion that werewolves are an ancient explanation for cannibalism/rabies has been disproven, the association is a modern one, as they were not believed to spread their curse through biting prior to the the 20th century film industry. 2. If you enjoyed this, here is a documentary I have just done on the history of Pumpkins: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hafWpqGVarprmKs 3. Saturnalia is not the origin of Christmas, neither is Yule. It may be worthwhile to re-examine the Halloween connection to Samhain in a future video.

[@patriciajrs46]

We'll be listening when you do.

[@leerunion519]

An Ohio boy huh nice to be reminded of the shield 🛡 state...Thank you for the video it was an hour of my life worth doing and learning from.. did you grow up hearing about Devils Night and the Pumpkin Sledding..Something that out here in PNW seems odd to them even now.. I still remember them..

[@shanaguilar8352]

Gonna look into that online.. I'm hungry for learning-- feed me, baby!!😆

[@QueenBee-gx4rp]

Love your documentaries , your style of narrating, your beautiful pictures, and your humor! Thank you so much for all your efforts!

[@adambrydges1040]

@@patriciajrs46 agreed, I thought the Samhain theory was really exciting. Need to know why experts no longer agree with it.

[@paytonpryor]

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack and Jill, Jack and the beanstalk, and Jack-o'-lantern. Jack was into all kinds of trouble his whole life.

[@gollycom]

And Jack Frost. He used to freeze babies heads and then do their mothers in the shitter.. 🚼🚼🚼🚼💀💀💀💀💀💀💀🚻🚺🚹🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃👴👴👩👵👵👨🎃🐭🐭

[@paytonpryor]

Let's not forget Jack the ripper too.

[@gollycom]

@@paytonpryor 🎃🎃🎃🎃😁😁😁😁😁😁And little Jack Horner who sat in the corner..🐒🐒

[@sheleavitt06]

The name Jack in English is Synonymous with a mischievous male character like the Jack in the hedge or jack of all trades in addition to the ones already mentioned. Sorry anyone who’s name is Jack your parents literally labeled you a troublemaker.

[@gollycom]

@@sheleavitt06 Like Jack Sparrow 🤡🤡😁😁😁😁🐒

[@mrs.g.9816]

I haven't been a child for almost six decades, but I still love Halloween. I love fall colors, and orange and black decorations. I still remember myself at age 11, going out in a hobo costume right after supper. Already dark, the stars shining, the wind blowing. I remember the smells - dried fallen leaves, apples, and the various chocolate and peanut candies I carried in my pillowcase. We kids were told to bring our little brothers/sisters with us (bummer!). Someone always had a transistor radio playing our favorite rock tunes. Coming back at 9 or 9:30 pm, I'd open my front door and get smacked with contrasting light, warmth, and the smell of something freshly baked with cinnamon. My parents always asked us if we had fun. I still remember a TV commercial jingle that was playing when I arrived home. No one had to worry about safety in those days. We still have a trick-or-treating tradition in the rural town I moved to a year ago, and the Town makes sure the kids are safe.

[@mrs.g.9816]

@avitza You do the same! Happy autumn and Halloween.

[@marnasletten3988]

Sounds like memories of my childhood of Halloween. Thanks for the memories.

[@TheNancypoo]

That's amazing! I have similar memories and my son was born on Halloween!

[@brandyjean7015]

I too adore Halloween @ 70 yrs young! When I lived in an urban home, the sons & I would decorate the front yard elaborately (folks would take pics) giving away lots of candy. Now that I'm retired in a very rural area, I still carry on my family traditions. Kids travel a couple of miles to see decorations & candy (the good stuff only) They arrive on foot, ATV, with parents by car, and even by horseback. Does my heart good to see their enjoyment.

[@spackar2720]

I am a middle-aged person who loves autumn and Halloween. I love the decorations, food, entertainment, horror films, and autumn weather. October through December is a magical time for me.

[@wchiwinky]

I was born 1957 and my mom's favorite holiday was Hallowe'en : she had the best Hallowe'en parties when we were growing up, and ended up passing away on Hallowe'en! I honor her seriously on that day and continue the festivities...=D Thank You for this excellent doc!

[@cheshirecat6518]

I would have had her buried in the kind of costume she liked. 😘

[@samanthab1923]

Wow, my Great grandmother died the day after. All Saints Day & she was one.

[@Tech215Studios]

That’s awesome man!! I’m not super religious but went to Catholic grade school 1-8, but I do pray. When I do it’s always Hail Marys and our fathers. Why??? Well bc I always pray to my grand parents and have my mother in father in mind. It’s a little off base but I make the same connection to Halloween that you make to your mother. Very different but I just wanted to comment bc I think what your doing to honor your mother is awesome. ☺️

[@horror_boi1382]

@stephen miller damn, now that's good timing

[@bellaevans3043]

@stephen miller Now, that's spooky.

[@veggsbacon1891]

As I get older, it's harder to get excited or try to celebrate Halloween. Trick-or-Treat, nah. The reason why I still like Halloween is the aesthetics. Spooky entertainment, decorations, autumn, etc. 🎃

[@karenholcombe7755]

I used to think like this too, but I realized that the excitement we felt was created by the adults in our lives. People participated, decorated, and etc. it’s our job now as adults to create that feeling!

[@Btn1136]

You fill a void in me created by ancient aliens and pawn stars.

[@Spongebrain97]

Yeah its pretty kewl how youtubers with small groups or by themselves can create great historical content that is way better than most of the stuff still shown on tv

[@PhilosoFeed]

This is such a perfect comment. Good call lol.

[@Mirsab]

You mean created by the lack of?

[@JohnSmith-qq7fm]

Yup, more History Channel than the History Channel

[@Mikefantasia22]

@@Mirsab he said it correctly. Ls I of history vis the creation of horseshit shows

[@omegasupreme1970]

You may be a King or a lowly street sweeper but sooner or later You dance with the reaper

[@TheDarthbinky]

Excellent!

[@kellywauneka2073]

You're not my supervisor at No

[@kellywauneka2073]

You're not my supervisor at No

[@vinnydaq13]

You ever dance with the Devil in the pale moonlight ?

[@wijcik]

Bodacious!

[@bethanyhanna9464]

Every holiday, I used to watch documentaries about those holidays with my kids. I wanted them to learn more than just the "fun stuff" about them. Back then, we had things like The History Channel, and Biography that would run programs. Sadly, they don't appear to do this anymore. But, thanks to you, my son can now carry on this tradition with his own kids. At least with his favorite holiday to learn about, Halloween.

[@Velo1010]

Both Discovery Channel and Biography are just commercialized hyped and drama. I started watching them trying to find out more about Halloween (to research my debate with a friend lol) then came back to this channel. I’m done with documentaries. I just want the facts. Spare the dramatic garbage. This channel is to the point.

[@TheNancypoo]

Yesssss! I love the history of these holidays. I miss them 😥

[@abigailsmith6000]

@@Velo1010 I feel like PBS is the only channel that still makes good documentaries.

[@nuzhatnueryhossein9015]

I feel better knowing that, growing up in a country where Halloween isn't celebrated, I still found people here who absolutely love Halloween as much as I do. And the proper way to celebrate is to learn all about where it started from and how people celebrate it all around the world. 🧡🖤🧡🖤

[@IsraelCountryCube]

its the devils day so youre literally a satanist

[@loquatmuncher]

Nothing makes me want to be a kid again quite like halloween does. It's nostalgia season.

[@Spongebrain97]

For me some holidays lose their magic altogether like valentines day and easter but the fall season still brings back nostalgia and fun as an adult

[@loquatmuncher]

@@Spongebrain97 Same!

[@michelslaura]

@@Spongebrain97 I agree !

[@vixendoe2545]

Absolutely

[@avgmaster1]

Age is an opportunity same as youth. Dress up and watch scary movies and eat candy👻👺💀👽

[@johnnychaos152]

My great grandmother was from Ireland and she was terrified of Halloween. I remember very clearly that it was absolutely NOT fun and games to her. She legitimately thought we were all gonna die if we went outside after dark on that night. She was totally mortified that my parents allowed my brother and I to participate in trick or treating.

[@margiehughes2463]

My great grandparents were from Ireland and they too, were terrified of Halloween. It was IMPORTANT to be behind doors before dark and never allow any light to show through a window. It was never a celebration of the dead but a fear of monsters from the other side of the veil - that opened for one night of the year. Trick or Treating was invented to help new Irish immigrants overcome their superstitious fears.

[@dartacus.spartacus1988]

Sound like a film I know but about Christmas not Halloween 🎃

[@Disneyfan82]

@@margiehughes2463 Don't even know where people got such superstitious nonsense about monsters like that. No offense to anyone's earliest ancestors but unless they ever actually saw such a monsters before, it would make their fears understandable.

[@margiehughes2463]

@@Disneyfan82 I’m going to guess that you have never been out walking down a country road and had a thick London “pea soup” fog close in around you. You can’t see your feet or your hand in front of your face. And the fog distorts sound and can make things far away sound like they are very near you. It’s very easy to get lost, even when you are familiar with the area. It’s frightening! Hence, the Irish pantheon of elves, fairies, leprechauns, selkies, banshees and more.

[@Disneyfan82]

@@margiehughes2463 Well people should have nothing to fear from fairies, elves, gnomes, or leprechauns unless they were doing anything to provoke them and threaten them the same way that would happen to a wild animal that would attack only in self defense.

[@METALMISFIT6]

The whole season of fall is my fav time of year

[@migue4793]

You should definitely do all the holidays like Christmas, Ground Hog Day, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day and Easter

[@adrianelias2365]

Don't forget Arbor Day.

[@julietporter9615]

What about Thanksgiving

[@deanromanado5850]

​@@julietporter9615Thanksgiving is only celebrated in 2 countries and they do on different days. I think they would go for holidays that are celebrated more broadly.

[@texantexaningintexas7189]

"He was a vile, lying, cheating, manipulative scoundrel who played tricks on people, stole from them, and was otherwise a burden to society." Ah, so you've met my ex. 🎃

[@dk6317]

🤣 🤣 🤣

[@michelslaura]

Mine too.

[@fuduzan5562]

Given your username, I suspect your ex isn't the shitty person.

[@wildbutterflytiedye]

*Hahaha mine too!!!*

[@alicewilloughby4318]

Adorable Deplorable, so nice to know you're not bitter! ;-)

[@slytheringingerwitch]

I love Halloween, my only annoyance was that I wasn't born in the US where they love it so much. But never mind, it is getting bigger in the UK every year!

[@bardmadsen6956]

I first lived it in the US at about eight years old and no supervision, even got robbed with a friend for the candy once. After that I asked my step-father who was a geologist what the meaning was and he told me it was the Taurid Stream. Even after being robbed at midnight we still had enough candy for weeks from the houses on the way home.

[@onlyplayaseattacoswiththei9433]

LOVE Halloween 🎃

[@jennifermercer3481]

It was born in Ireland

[@88IrishEyes]

Nah America bastardised it, you wanna be here in Ireland to celebrate it properly

[@88IrishEyes]

@Justin H Not gonna lie, the commercialisation of America has made its way over here so obviously there's pub nights where people dress up and win prizes, there's a haunted attraction in one of our abandoned jails, but my family keeps it fairly traditional. We obviously dress up (to confuse evil spirits) We cook and bake a huge feast with traditional dishes like Barnbrack , we leave an empty chair around the table for a passed loved one to join us. Carve turnips and put them on out steps and windows, have a Lil bonfire out the back and play games like peeling an apple to see who you'll marry lol!

[@lellyt2372]

As an Irish person I just had to comment on your GREAT pronunciation of Samhain! You are the first person from outside Ireland, who has said the word who even bothered to TRY and pronounce it properly; and did a fantastic job 👏 May seem like a small thing, but the lack of respect for our language gets waring after a while so I appreciate someone who actually finds out how the word is spoken ! Thank you

[@pepperchaun2184]

SAH-WIN

[@williamslater-vf5ym]

Most people with an interest in Halloween know how to pronounce it these days.

[@lellyt2372]

@@williamslater-vf5ym I haven't found any evidence of that. Maybe some people do but it is not even close to "most people with an interest"

[@dear6341]

I am sure the Scots can pronounce it fine.

[@williamslater-vf5ym]

@@lellyt2372 I mean, literally everyone I know, but sure. No one can pronounce it. lol.

[@pdxthomas]

This is one of the most thorough and comprehensive dissections of "Halloween" ever. If someone was trying to gather info for writing a paper on Halloween origins, they'd do well to begin with this video. Thanks!

[@lizziesangi1602]

You haven't seen much, have you -

[@ak-ri9iw]

@@lizziesangi1602 true

[@ak-ri9iw]

@@mz.behavin...7171 true

[@davehallett3128]

Wrong budweiser breath

[@ak-ri9iw]

@@davehallett3128 wh0

[@kidperk334]

Halloween has slowly crept it's way up to my favorite holiday right along with christmas.....it sets off the holiday season and I also love the weather change....

[@asdasx392]

23:27 "Jack came upon Satan on the road" and there is a painting of a road! I love the artwork and how so much of it ties into the narrative. I really appreciate the work that goes into these videos.

[@stephanieanne2352]

Yeah that painting was awesome.

[@angelgrant1031]

*excited screaming* MY HOUSE is in a documentary about the History of Halloween. My life is complete.

[@gregorywellssr7857]

Angel Grant Really? One of the pictures?

[@angelgrant1031]

@@gregorywellssr7857 Yes. At 40 seconds and again at 57:10. I'm such a Halloween geek, this is so exciting!

[@gregorywellssr7857]

Angel Grant Well, the " Hallowe'en geek" statement can't be disputed, just look at your house! That is SO cool, I envy you.

[@angelgrant1031]

@@gregorywellssr7857 Thanks!!

[@josephinemarieclayton7254]

Awesome. Neato. Wowsers! Yes, I'm a huge inspector gadget fan the show and subsequent live action movies.

[@Anubis424242]

0:51 - This reminds me of the one and only time I ever bobbed for apples as a kid. On that day, I accidentally snorted the water and got sick for 3 days. I didn't even manage to get an apple out of the experience. Thankfully, the viewing of this video has been a much more pleasant experience.

[@kevingonzalez3673]

Gross you snorted bacterial water in your brain.

[@PrettiBoiMicah]

Lol. This was my favorite part of going to Halloween parties bobbing for apples. I grew up in Massachusetts; Halloween's there are the greatest! 🎃

[@Anubis424242]

@@PrettiBoiMicah I think that one bad experience ruined it for me. Otherwise I might have tried it again. I think what happened was the apple went further down into the water and the cold temperature surprised me, resulting in my accidental inhalation of it.

[@kevingonzalez3673]

@@Anubis424242 You had brain freeze

[@kevingonzalez3673]

@@PrettiBoiMicah I never liked thr idea because all I thought about was everyone slobbering in the water.

[@Jarod-vg9wq]

Halloween deserves as much love and passion as Christmas gets form the living, it deserves but budget movies based on the holiday like Christmas does.

[@hadara69]

Amen!

[@terereynolds698]

I'm Dieguenyo from the Kumeyaay Nation, on my reservation, we went trick or treating on October 31st, but we celebrate All Soul's Day on November 2nd, my grandma told us that on November 2nd is when the dead get new clothes and are guided back to heaven or wherever their next journey takes them. We decorate the headstones and wooden crosses, and we put candles on each grave, 4 on each side, 2 at the head of the grave and 2 at the feet. The decorations represent their new clothes, and when its dark the candles are lit to guide them to where their next journey is taking them. I'm 65 now and things have changed as far as trick or treating goes, now it's done at churches, and it's called trunk or treat, at least here in our little corner of Missouri. We live in the middle of a forest, there's 6 houses a mile apart back here and we're all retired. I miss the little ones.

[@madamesalamander16]

"Haunted houses, LATEX, apple cider and pumpkin pie.." now THAT sounds like a party.

[@annbrowning]

Madame Salamander I thought the mention of latex was thought-provoking too. 😊. It reminds me of when my adult daughter put water in latex gloves until they ballooned out. These were put in the freezer. For the Halloween party, the creepy frozen hands were removed from the latex gloves and put in the punch to float and keep the drink cold.

[@alleytovar1194]

🤪

[@Perid0tStar]

@F A Me either, but oddly I do associate pumpkin-everything-else with fall in general, so I'll give it a pass (Plus I already had pie this year though its still September lol)

[@skinlizard2251]

@@annbrowning Wow, I suddenly have an idea for decor for this coming Halloween! Thank you very much for mentioning that story :)

[@hunnypie1873]

I want an invite to THAT party! 😆

[@aymarafan7669]

The days of cable history documentaries is getting ready to fall.

[@coryarnold3369]

Already cut my cord.

[@aymarafan7669]

@cory arnold Very umbilical

[@lukeskywalker4711]

They fell When they started showing Pawn Stars and Ancient Aliens.

[@Windjammers1]

The only documentaries I can find on cable is on the channel AHC.

[@blufreddyghetto9226]

My Investigation Van Is Parked At KZbin, It's A Job Collecting All This Evidence

[@sarahsmithers4725]

2020 they cancelled Halloween 😢 Happy Halloween anyway! Change it and decorate anyway. I’m going to carve pumpkins, light candles, buy my kids some really expensive candy and watch Halloween cartoons. Then go and look at different decorations in neighborhoods. Kinda like the lights around Christmas time.

[@UltimateGamerCC]

i hope we can come back from this and truly get back to celebrating in full, over the years since i was growing up, Halloween has been on the decline, people arent decorating much, people arent dressing up and people arent having fun. it's a damn shame and i want to raise my kids into loving Halloween like i do, my faith in humanity is going to be reduced to a flicker if Halloween is left to rot,

[@guymorris6596]

It wasn't canceled.

[@andyc4295]

This is the best Halloween documentary I've found. I come back to this annually to refresh my knowledge. If I were to change my profession and schooling, I think I would go into history since it is so fascinating.

[@Proud_Texan]

It's also a load of 💩 Pagans were around 6 thousands years prior to christians appearance.

[@Art-jl6pt]

...my fav was the last full moon on Halloween we explored old graveyards and old abandoned churches all night. Its was the best ever

[@averongodoffire8098]

“Beans warded off evil spirits” If I was a spirit I’d also avoid the man bellowing out prayers while throwing beans around him😂

[@viktoriaironpride4977]

My favorite holiday. When I was in elementary school, every once in a while the teacher would get out a little songbook that had songs for different holidays. I always remembered the one for Hallowe'en (old-fashioned way to spell that) that went like this: "Hallowe-e-een, the witch is riding high, Have you see-e-een her shadow in the sky? So beware, don't you dare, to even boast, or a ghost, to your dismay may hear you say that you don't care, Say a prayer, or it may come and pull your hair!" (Apologies if I may have a word or two wrong.) There was a second verse, but I could not remember it. With the advent of the internet, I searched, and found that others of my generation remembered this song and were looking for it also! The second verse goes like this: "There's a big black cat a-crossing in our way, Have you heard that that's bad luck always say! Were you scared, when he stared with eyes aglow? (hear that crow!) There's a thump near the pump , let's hurry home, or a gnome Will thump a lump upon your dome!" There was an illustration along with the printed song of several Hallowe'en figures, and ever since then I have used the face on that Jack-o-Lantern on the one I carve every year. Happy Celtic New Year to all!

[@brieanastraiton3665]

Mega fan of Halloween right here! Always good memories from being a kid then into my early adulthood decorating my own house when the time came and now sharing with my daughter. She was due late December so I decided to have my baby shower on Halloween and be a costume party! Now 5 years later she's in kindergarten and her first school Halloween party I've volunteered for. I'll be dressing up as Queen Anna from frozen2 for the kids.

[@mikefay5698]

I remember being a Guiser about 1954 we would go out in the cold night round peoples houses dressing up with a turnip lantern knocking at the door and saying "Can you help the Guisers"? usually we got some money which we used to save for fireworks at "Guy Fawkes' all good fun in those days. That was in Hawick Scotland. No cars and you wander about in those days without your parents worrying. I liked Winter. "May God preserve us from Ghosties and Ghoulies and things that go clink in the night"! Old Scottish Prayer!

[@Sleepy_Alligator]

Born in 1960. I have such great memories of Haloween as a kid. Very different. 1967 groups of kids wandering neighborhoods in the dark, for miles, no parents needed. It was common, no worries. Wonderful memories!! Times do change...

[@turdferguson9923]

From Lorain Ohio myself. The cities in my area do that nearest weekend crap too. It sucks. Should be on the 31st regardless of the day of week.

[@PrettiBoiMicah]

Lived in Dayton, Ohio for a few years in the late 90's hated Halloween's there. They really do pick a weekend which almost never falls on the 31st of October, and there is a curfew as well as a time you are aloud to start trick or treating. OHIO sucks period, including the extra taxes. No freedom there, and the people; don't get me started. 👹👺👹👺

[@heathergustar638]

@@PrettiBoiMicah driving through it to get to Florida is nauseating and endless. I saw a tree in Ohio once. In the seventies

[@heathergustar638]

What is. I like your name Mr Reynolds

[@paulvazur8540]

I’m from Lorain Ohio too I was trying to remember if I might have knew you but the name turd doesn’t come to mind

[@turdferguson9923]

@@paulvazur8540 Lmao! My real name is Damien actually.

[@ZainaDancer]

Great episode. The word Halloween is a Scottish variant of All Hallows Even (or Evening). Hallow refers to whatever is set apart, blessed, or consecrated as being holy. Consequently, the name Halloween deserves better treatment than it receives by being carelessly pronounced, “Holloween”, by so many people.

[@lordtimothymichel8677]

well all saints day was the day after, so go figure.

[@sandraleiva1633]

@@lordtimothymichel8677 All Hallows day. The evening before is All Hallows Evening or All Hallows Eve which mutated into Halloween. Pay attention buddy.

[@lordtimothymichel8677]

@@sandraleiva1633 No kidding? Gosh I had no idea...Considering I'm a Wiccan and am over 50. I think I know all kinds of things about Samhain. and Umm...YOU pay attention, buddy.

[@in4mal_baker270]

Its crazy how our holidays are just celebrations of the seasonal cycles

[@UltimateGamerCC]

everything starts somewhere, traditions are never formed from nothing.

[@avgmaster1]

It's All astrological. The bible is too.

[@AriaIsara]

I find it sensible. It's good to be in tune with these cycles, especially in contemporary society where we tend to feel disconnected from that.

[@jackbuckley7816]

@@UltimateGamerCC The American 4th of July is an exception, as it's a purely coincidental date, unconnected to a season.

[@UltimateGamerCC]

@@jackbuckley7816 i dont believe it's coincidental at all, there's gotta be some kind of significance with that date.

[@thevioletskull8158]

In Australia,Halloween is in spring,so the autumn vibe of Halloween is ingored,we still use pumpkins though. actually Halloween in Australia is very different to the typical Halloween. First of all it’s not a public holiday,we just say it’s a holiday day cause it’s supposed to be one. Two,it’s not that celebrated,Halloween isn’t that popular in Australia but it’s still celebrated,like people trick or treating,going to public Halloween parties and so on. Maybe this is just the area I live in but they didn’t care how you dress up,hell were I come form people don’t care even if you dress up,you can ask for candy in your normal clothes or school clothes and no one would say anything. I like to make my custom look as good as possible,if I’m dressing up it’s got to look good,I’m trying to not be so fussy because then I won’t get a costume at all.

[@vivechjorviani5440]

Time for summer -ween it seems, we all win if it gets celebrated twice a year

[@meredithgrubb7027]

Thats awesome that u celebrate it and go all out. Im 33 and live in America in the state of TN. I wish i could take u back in time to how Halloween was here in the 90's. My dad would take an old pair of jeans and a white shirt, shred them, take a tire and cover it in black paint, roll it all over the jeans and shirt, splatter the rest in fake blood, make my face match the shredded bloody clothes and boom.... i was roadkill. Then my parents would take us to a place with neighborhoods and drop us off for a few hours and we always got tons of candy. We would always take the time to go to another farm down the road that did up their whole house and their woods as a haunted attraction. Even my niece and nephew will never know a Halloween like we had. People r still into it but its not the same as it used to be where u just cant trust people anymore.

[@CherokeeBird]

@@vivechjorviani5440 No, they celebrate Oct 31. On the other side of the world, its spring time for them.

[@offwiththefairiesforever2373]

Our date for winter is different yes .....

[@jsgwam]

@@vivechjorviani5440 it is the southern hemisphere. Right now is spring in Australia

[@QueenDany69]

On Halloween night all the witches , ghouls and ghosts come out for their once a year delight! But don't run off with a fright come and listen to what they have to say maybe your bad luck will go away! 🎃💀🙌

[@snakewhitcher4189]

It's good to see someone else taking Halloween seriously.

[@pjmoseley243]

Remember All Hallows

[@snakewhitcher4189]

You can't handle a tooth.

[@fedora-oldaccount1566]

This my favorite Halloween documentary. I had a tradition of watching certain one but I couldn’t find it this year. I decided to watch this one. Best decision today.

[@CosplayCore]

This is by far the best Halloween documentary that I have ever found... But I'm left wondering why no one ever covers the real full history of the witch as a Halloween icon?

[@lordtimothymichel8677]

'cause most witches like to keep it on the downlow. You would too if hanging and burning was the welcome wagon for your kind.

[@tiffany_spence]

Bailey sarian, Dark history podcastdid one this year.

[@moonriser1964]

I find it odd that we humans are always afraid of witches, ghosts, and devils when we are the most cruel and inhumane beasts of all.

[@onefeather2]

Well said, and so true.

[@SireBag]

Edgy

[@slinky6481]

They're all projections of our own innate and potential darkness and evil, if you think about it, so in a way it isn't odd at all.

[@heathergustar638]

Stop voting for trump and everything will be fine. FOUR years NO TRUMP. IT S A DEMAND BID

[@fedupwithfedforever4151]

Typical rant of a self loathing leftist!

[@wildreed21]

Salute to the only holiday I ever celebrate. A time for imagination, a special place my heart for all my life.

[@dauntingdarknessmusic]

It's my favorite as well. Have a great Halloween!

[@mrnobody2222]

It’s not my favorite holiday. That goes to Christmas, but I do enjoy Halloween.

[@sandramorrison4811]

It's mine 2!!! I'm a spooky 👻 gal!!!! Boo!

[@tammywines7343]

My birthday is on Halloween! In Mexico they do Halloween, day of the Dead better than anyplace on Earth.

[@cinthia9602]

53:51, that pumpkin looks like he is enjoying a reefer.

[@sburris65]

My ancestors were Scottish, Irish, and Welsh. I have always loved Halloween and fall. I can't wait for that time of year and when im.at my happiest. Now I see it is in my DNA.

[@UltimateGamerCC]

Irish blood flows through my veins, and this does explain why i'm so drawn to it.

[@michaelgrosz27]

this is one of the best documentaries on Halloween I’ve heard

[@chino3796]

If you have a black cat (especially) or any kind of cat, be sure to keep it in on Halloween night. There are modern day ghouls around that are known to do bad things to cats on that night.

[@johnh.tuomala4379]

I once lived in a city where there were Satanist gangs which would kidnap black cats and sacrifice them to the Devil. Nowadays most animal shelters won’t give black cats out for adoption around Halloween.

[@deborahlangnese7645]

I hope all the dead and the living have a happy Halloween. Much happiness to all living creatures.

[@UltimateGamerCC]

Halloween 2020 sucks for everyone, damn covid.

[@dauntingdarknessmusic]

Have a great Halloween season!

[@maxfarley2519]

43:50 I heard that werewolves were actually a metaphor for serial killers, much like how the Wendigo was likely a metaphor for cannibalism.

[@rainbowruler6453]

What about vampires

[@kenik2023]

Werewolf = lycanthropy Werebear = lupinathropy Werefish = ichyanthropy Werefishsticks = mrspaulanthropy 🤔

[@haveagoodone2935]

@@rainbowruler6453 The vampire has origins in Romania "strigoi" and even earlier mesopotamian origin.

[@joanndeck4315]

Wintigo….is from the CREES a Native American tribe and has no European roots. Research please!

[@murrayrhoads5582]

i like how you worked in the monty python line, from the holy grail movie.......

[@gregorywellssr7857]

Murray Rhoads What Monty Python line? I missed it.

[@julianxamo7835]

@@gregorywellssr7857 The one about the witches around 38:00

[@gregorywellssr7857]

@@julianxamo7835 Thanks!

[@gregorywellssr7857]

@@julianxamo7835 I guess I should have known.

[@kenik2023]

He got better👀

[@gibranbernal5088]

Thank you, I practice my English listening with videos like this.

[@vondabarela8994]

Really enjoyed the history, and, your perspective. I’m of Scots ancestry. So, this means something to me. Thank you.

[@andiekelly3373]

I have Scottish and Irish heritage and have always felt that Halloween was/is a special holiday.

[@archaichermit3566]

@@andiekelly3373 same and Halloween has easily been my favorite holiday since adulthood 😂🎃

[@kenik2023]

EEEEFFFF EEEETTTSSSS NAUGHT SCOHTEEESH EEEEESSSSS CCCCRRRAAAHHHHPPP!!!

[@doomedamerica6871]

There should be no perspective when telling history.

[@luvmorrisey20]

I’ve heard that a lot of kids and teens go missing at the end of October and beginning of November, especially in Washington DC.

[@phillippellar3124]

Well without the blood of children how are we supposed to bring in a proper harvest next year?

[@thatsnodildo1974]

Because filthy Politicians are degenerates who prey upon the weak and have sick desires

[@CynthiaHunterNightwillow]

def for the sacrifices of the "elite" and evil-doers

[@janaprocella8268]

Unfortunately it is true that wiccans and devil worshipers both use Halloween for kidnapping children and yes sacrificing them...and drinking blood and making that new blood chrome..... To use as a drug and get high they also claim that it is a youth serum.....!!!

[@naughtiasteffano9885]

@@janaprocella8268 YOU sound ridiculous. you dumb conspiracy people. u probably follow Q. SMH

[@DFX2KX]

I used to be into the holiday as a kid. Now I'm an adult with adult friends who are extremely into it, and for some reason that's sapped most of the fun out of it. Personally, the REAL holiday is the day after when all the leftover candy goes on sale.

[@LoriCrabtree31]

When you have kids you get to experience it all over again seeing their excitement or being frightened.

[@lisasperandio]

its a tradition of mine to come back to this video every october now, its such a good explanation

[@AndrewFantasia]

This is my second year in a row watching this to put myself in the Halloween spirit. Great video, man!

[@nathanielsizemore3946]

Yea! Monty Python Reference! I am a Wiccan and was taught that Samhain is to be celebrated on the second full moon after Mabon, the Autumnal Equinox. It is the third harvest festival, the festival of blood when herds were culled for the winter and the meat prepared for the winter. It was also the time to honor our ancestors.

[@jturtle5318]

So in 2021 it would be Nov 19th?

[@Nedyah74]

This is one of the best history channels ever!!! I didn't even know I needed a documentary on the history of Halloween, but you sure delivered! I look forward to your future documentaries.

[@kattkennedy8821]

In New Jersey we would start trick or treating right after school. Than after dinner wed change costumes and go back out. Wed have Halloween parties at school and at our house every year The fall was always colorful. Best childhood memories ever! This was in the 1960s

[@QuBoadicea69]

Love this documentary and the narrator, the information, the great illustrations. Lots of good info regarding ancestors and their beliefs and activities! Easy to push the “subscribe”button on this one. Will watch multiple times.

[@patrickmcpherson97]

I'm glad we have pumpkins here. Do you know how freaking hard it is to carve a turnip? Not an easy task by any means.

[@deborahmcgee7970]

I know that’s all ye had in Ireland when I was a child but trick or treat we had not even heard of

[@CJ-hz1uj]

Maybe turnip carving improves with practice.

[@hunnypie1873]

@@CJ-hz1uj lol you’re literally cracking me up rn 😆

[@SandRhomanHistory]

hey this is well done, good choice of music as well. usually our documentaries are situated in other historical waters but thoroughly enjoyed this one. i never came across your channel, but just stumbled upon it. glad the KZbin algorithm did something right for once.

[@timelkin838]

Just hit midnight. This is the best holiday. Not taken to serious and no gift giving just a spiritual day. My kind of holiday.

[@wendychavez5348]

I have a friend in New Zealand who was born on 31 October. Hallowe'en is a big celebration for him, and in a way it's how we met (online--we've not yet met in person as far as either of us knows).

[@porcelaindoll1228]

The Celts be like "Boys and girls of every age Wouldn't you like to see something strange ? Come with us and you will see This, our town of Halloween"

[@NoNameThoughtOfYet]

"This Is Halloween! This Is Halloween! Pumpkins Scream In The Dead Of Night! This Is Halloween! Everybody Make A Scene Trick Or Treat Till The Neighbours Gonna Die Of Fright!" 😈👹👺👻☠️🎃🌕🔥

[@Chunkypumpkinhead]

Thanks for repping my favourite holiday! Happy Halloweeeeeeen! Now I'm off to watch compilation vids of 80s Halloween commercials.

[@RyanRediger66]

China finds bats to be good luck?! This explains so much

[@AndrewFantasia]

Even though this video is not that old, watching it has become an October tradition for me. Thanks so much for making it, Justin! Hope you have a Happy Halloween.

[@ernestovaldes5877]

Next time, do a history of Thanksgiving and then a history of Christmas.

[@three-colourbanner2911]

@Tony K good. I didn't know, and I'm interested

[@cherylwilliams667]

Tony K z American Thanksgiving is the original.

[@avgmaster1]

Or else...........

[@judithhansen6430]

Thanksgiving is the only Christian holiday in USA. All the other one the devil. Introduce evil paganism.

[@ohmeowzer1]

Great idea thanks

[@diebesgrab]

“the most famous witch-hunt” Pretty sure that’s actually the Spanish Inquisition. I mean, not that anyone would have expected that.

[@sheleavitt06]

diebesgrab the most “witches” killed actually happened in the German states.

[@gregmiller9710]

hahaha...that's right...no one expects that..>< (i am a mp fan meself^^)

[@diebesgrab]

sheleavitt06 I’m aware, though I think the Spanish Inquisition gets more attention on a global scale, even though far fewer witch accusations were made and stuck in Catholic Europe at the time. The Salem trials actually ended up with very few of the accused actually executed, though that’s certainly the most famous witch hunt in the United States, for instance.

[@omegasupreme1970]

nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.....

[@h.e.pennypacker4567]

diebesgrab “Pretty sure” You’re very wrong.

[@derekwest4245]

Think about it… if Halloween, Christmas, and thanksgiving weren’t there; then this time of year would be dreadful, dark, cold and wet

[@anastasiam.6269]

38:22 Killed me!! I love a good Monty Python reference hahaha

[@projectjayme1109]

I am a history loving college student. I’ve been composing a fan letter to you for about two weeks. I haven’t sent it because I am a perfectionist and I want to make sure I adequately explain why I think your channel is so amazing. Needless to say, I became rather excited when I got the KZbin notification for this video- can’t wait to watch!

[@Fireoflearning]

Thank you! I really appreciate that. Looking forward to your letter

[@marcizaguirre]

Thank you for including "Dia de Muertos" in your documentary! Although, I'd like to add that, like all pagan festivities, "Dia de Muertos" was submitted to cristian transformation and adaptation. It was orginally a festival that took place for several days and it took place around the month of july, which is in the middle of our rainy season. There were offerings to gods and earth to make the harvest bountiful. Sugar skulls and skeletons were an adaptation by mexicans after being subdued to Catholicism. It is a festivity that is not that easy to explain to foreigners, as it goes beyond remembering our loved ones that have passed away. But, globalization does that to culture and tradition. I don't mind it. It is my favorite season throughout the year. Excellent documentary!! 👍👍👍👍

[@bellaevans3043]

I have always loved Halloween, I like how the trees turn such beautiful colors, And the little cool breeze, I loved going out with a bunch of my friends trick or treating. I'm really into Horror and anything spooky or scary, Even as a child, I was never afraid, till this day I always carve pumpkins, Halloween is my favorite season.

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Impressive list of rescouces. I get immensely overwhelmed by research.

[@floragriffin4590]

My favorite part of Halloween is dressing up in costumes! But, I like to have people try and guess who I am! It's more fun to keep people guessing!

[@pjmoseley243]

Beware All Hallows

[@SleepinBee]

we will all be wearing masks tihs year but not the halloween kind sadly.

[@theamericanshepherd5378]

Can't you wear a mask under the Halloween mask?

[@theamericanshepherd5378]

@All Most Home I think they mean the carona thing.

[@user-ue2lx6py9j]

😔

[@jrang7562]

@@theamericanshepherd5378 the Kung flu

[@karenstevenson4876]

YOU KNOW IT.

[@Scrinwaipwr]

My country's native word for Halloween is Calan Gaeaf which basically translates as event at the start of winter. It's basically a mix of enjoying the last of the autumn harvest and being scary to ward off even scarier winter spirits.

[@allenlovell1604]

Interesting look 👀 into the origins of Halloween 🎃. Being of Irish ancestry and descendants of those early 🤔 Immigrants, I found it fascinating to learn about 🎃 history ! And the links between the pre-Christian tribes of Europe, Germania. Gaul, Britannia, and 🇮🇪 ! The myths, the Celtics, and the Druids were things I was never told about.

[@judykeir601]

Halloween is my favorite holiday. This is a very informative video. Thank you!!! 👻👻🎃🎃🌙🌙🍎👀

[@dalemiekajeter]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Tsadi9Mem9Khet9]

"The Masque of the Red Death" is possibly the only Vincent Price movie based on an Edgar Allan Poe story that I've ever seen, and I like it very much.

[@rexlex1736]

The Pit and the Pendulum?

[@janaprocella8268]

I'ma gonna watch that...right now...

[@larryloveless2967]

This was really interesting. This video popped up for me the day after I was going through old family pictures and scrap books I kept from when family passed away and read a baby book my Dad's mom kept on Firsts for my Dad. She wrote how my Dad who was only four at the time and had a great Halloween party that day back in the 1920s. I thought that was pretty amazing but makes sense it was popular then as well. When I was a kid in the 1960s in St. Louis I really enjoyed just coming home with a bag full of candy especially chocolate bars. I never expected Halloween to become the very big event that it became years later although now with grown kids around 40 their own family makes the night out with their kids and my wife and I just stay home and try to watch a scary movie. I really enjoyed your video and really learned how it all started and how it has spread some.

[@meredithgrubb7027]

I enjoyed reading ur comment.

[@SixHundredandThirteen]

I haven't celebrated Halloween since I was a kid , but its interesting that till this day people still celebrate it. Idk if it's a blessing or a curse.

[@TheOnlyLacyLavender1]

I stopped celebrating that wickedness long long ago. Everything about it is evil. Kids dress up so they can go make threats to people right at their front doors! That's not good. When I was a young teen in the 70s, there was a lot of tricking done too.

[@TheOnlyLacyLavender1]

I call it Helloween!

[@lericthurston2543]

>>no spoilers >>dracula is a vampire What the heck Justin

[@dougmcguire3159]

Vlad the Impaler loved his adrenochrome, and it is much more common today. Very sick world...

[@josephinemarieclayton7254]

@@dougmcguire3159 Adrenochrome, what's that? Just wondering. Don't feel like Googling it or searching through a dictionary. Phooey. Lol.

[@mapleflag6518]

Bruh

[@jennofear6935]

I'm only 18 minutes in but REALLY enjoying this presentation! Thank you so much for it! My husband is a fine artist and we're marvelling at the talent and detail embodied in all the works of the days of olde... He had some subscriptions to modern art magazines that exemplify how hollowed out we've become--

[@azazelgrigori9244]

As a pagan, myself, I tend to view Halloween/Samhain as time to embrace the unknown and supernatural. To which the iconography of the underworld is meant to symbolize death and rebirth, the act of a thing drastically moving from one state to another, by metaphorically going into the underworld itself and returning.

[@inri247]

cringelord

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

Note to self: When misfortune is encountered, always have a handy duck, and large scale handy for examining suspicious persons.

[@kenik2023]

Just get a swallow and a coconut....👍🏾

[@dillonnielsen2647]

I like the artwork used in the video. They really fit the mood and tone of your video and they remind me of Autumn in the mid-west. What are the names of the pieces?

[@aymarafan7669]

Love the historical aspect of this man! You can’t make a documentary on Halloween without the cultures, and time gone that makes up the evolution of this holiday.

[@Bluntz1289]

It's September which means it's Halloween Preseason. Woooooo

[@kenik2023]

September 1st is Halloween 🤣😂😅

[@yensid4294]

I agree, those are some unnecessary laws. Wonder what prompted them to do that? Participating in Halloween as an adult is fully voluntary, you can just turn off the lights & not answer the door if you don't want to give out candy. Making it mandatory for the weekend really messes things up for adults (when Samhain falls on a weekday) who may want to go out to adult parties on the weekend before Oct 31 but still be home to do Halloween activities with their own or the neighborhood children. We don't have kids but every year we decorate our front yard like a haunted house or grave yard & dress up & sit outside with our dog & hand out candy. It's fun. We're one of the few houses on our street that participates & the neighborhood kids love it. And we have fun doing it & seeing all the costumes. And we don't refuse older kids either. If you're in costume & polite, you get candy. (Most of the kids are with a parent so there's never any issues.) It's a tradition & I wouldn't want to have to decide between doing it or going to a friend's party...

[@kimholcomb6943]

Actually there are more Scottish here in the USA than thought. There are at least 10% of people here in the USA who are of Scottish descent. And it's not scot irish who are irish however they are Scottish. Read the book How the Scottish people invented the modern world. It's a very informative book. The Scottish do not receive enough recognition like they should. It wasn't just the Irish who contributed to the USA. And for that matter neither do the Welsh.

[@jeffreyflynn5746]

Very true. My great grandfather came to America in 1890 hence the last name "scott"

[@cynthiaarrowsmith5709]

👩🏻‍🦰🙋🏼‍♀️

[@jalapeno1119]

I'm part Scottish and I live in America.

[@aawagga7099]

He didn't denounce the Scottish immigrants significance on America lmao. But yeah there were a lot of Scottish people who live in America, such as me.

[@bunnybrown809]

Scottish and Welsh roots🙋‍♀️🌹

[@lisaconnelly7731]

Wonderful! I especially liked that you shared your personal traditions along with changing times' rearranging celebrations. Halloween is on October 31st. Celebrate it then, or not.

[@dougsteingraber2417]

Ever since I moved to NE Ohio.. I’ve noticed the ‘rearranging’ of holiday celebrations... mainly Halloween, and Independence Day... I saw that, off and on in other places, yet NE Ohio is organizationally SERIOUS about it..😂😂😂 Have a blessed Samhain🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

[@jacobquiroga626]

Interesting! I always had a feeling for some reason that *Ohio* is a perfect place to go during *HALLOWEEN* Time! 🍂🎃

[@hollyandjaidynrapp919]

I am also in NE Ohio and nowhere I have ever lived besides here does this...drives me crazy!!! This year Halloween is the 30th...last year my niece and nephews Halloween was the 26th...ridiculous

[@abandonedpast6410]

Very informative!! Halloween has always been my favorite holiday...

[@skyden24195]

I consider Halloween the kick-off to the Holiday Season. As soon as that feeling of Summer's end is actually nigh... and the light falls shorter.... 'tis the season...…. ;->

[@adrian424587]

I listen to this video very often.

[@monsterhobbiesmonsterdungeon]

"Halloween in danger" - And here we are, 1 year after this video with Covid-19 and it could be a possibility.

[@bobbyrayvictory6905]

If you let a government tell you how to live or not live your life than a holiday is the least of your worries.

[@monsterhobbiesmonsterdungeon]

@@bobbyrayvictory6905 Amen!

[@aawagga7099]

Satan: *sees Jack's sinful lifestyle* "well I just wanted to say that I'm a huuuge fan" He then decides to live with Jack but Jack denied