Halloween is one of the most popular holidays celebrated by millions of people. All Hallows Eve is the evening before All Saints Day, on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. It was originally a pagan holiday, honoring the dead and dating back to over 2000 years ago. Later the Catholic church honored saints on the following day. The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil and ensure next year's crops would be plentiful. This custom evolved into trick-or-treating. Typical Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, attending costume parties, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires and apple bobbing.
Apple bobbing, also known as bobbing for apples, is a game played by filling a large basin with water and putting apples in the water. Because apples are less dense than water, they will float at the surface. Players then try to catch one with their teeth. Use of hands is not allowed, and often are tied behind the back to prevent cheating.
Watch and sing the song APPLE BOBBING to learn how to play apple bobbing! Great for Halloween parties or just as a fun way to learn some new English. Visit http://genkienglish.net/applebobbing.htm
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Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition, between fall and winter, life and death. It originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people lighted bonfires and wore costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III chose November 1st to honor all saints and martyrs and All Saints’ Day included some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween.
Halloween is one of the most popular holidays celebrated by millions of people. All Hallows Eve is the evening before All Saints Day, on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. It was originally a pagan holiday, honoring the dead and dating back to over 2000 years ago. Later the Catholic church honored saints on the following day. The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil and ensure next year's crops would be plentiful. This custom evolved into trick-or-treating. Typical Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, attending costume parties, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires and apple bobbing.
