Halloween history
The earliest known ancestors of Halloween are the Druids of pre-Roman times. They honored Samhain (in Celt, summer's end) every year in October. Bonfires were lit to ward off evil spirits and to welcome in the new year.
Pope Gregory moved All Saints Day, known at the time as All Hallows' Day, from May to November 1. He hoped the move would encourage prayer at this time of year rather than the old custom of sacrificing to demons and consulting soothsayers.
Which witch?
The last American witch trial on record took place in Pennsylvania in 1730 and was reported by Benjamin Franklin.
Jack's lantern
In Ireland, jack-o'-lanterns were carved out of hollowed-out turnips. In America, the Irish used pumpkins because they were rounder and easier to carve. The legend says that a blacksmith by the name of Jack sold his soul to the devil. He tricked the devil out of payment by coaxing him up a tree. Once the devil was in the tree, Jack carved a cross on the tree trunk, trapping the devil. But when Jack died, he couldn't go to Heaven because he had sold his soul, and he couldn't go to Hell because he had tricked the devil. So he roams the earth awaiting Judgment Day and lights his way with a turnip lantern.
Trick or treat?
Trick-or-treaters are a 20th century concept. The custom seems to date back to Cake Night in England. On All Saints Day children would go from door-to-door offering a prayer for the dead in exchange for money. People began handing our small cakes, or "soul cakes" to the children.