Halloween: The Darkest Night Of the Year

This is an 8 min documentary exploring the history of Halloween as a holiday and how it has affected the modern world.

The Haunted History of Halloween

On October 31, when pint-sized ghouls and goblins knock on doors, they're actually carrying on a tradition that goes back thousands of years to the Celtic tribes of northern Europe. For centuries this night has celebrated mystery and chaos, a time between summer and winter, a time between life and death.

CBS This Morning host Harry Smith leads this 3,000 year tour through the history of the quintessentially pagan holiday which has survived to become one of America's most popular. Discover how trick or treat originated in ancient Ireland's harvest festivals, when food and sweets were offered to entice the dead to stay in the spirit world. See how Christianity tried to co-opt the celebration by turning it into All Saints Day, but how the underlying dark elements have survived, inspiring debate to the present day. From ghoulies and ghosties to the origins of the Jack-O-Lantern, THE HAUNTED HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN is a delicious journey into the enchanting past of the spookiest night of the year.

Available at Amazon.com.

History of the Jack O' Lantern

Where did the name Jack O' Lantern come from and why is it associated with Halloween? In the ancient Celtic areas, people celebrated at the end of the harvest, which marked the beginning of winter and darkness. The myth says that an unsavory character named Stingy Jack was wandering the countryside about this time of year, and was carrying a lit coal inside of a turnip. When the Irish and Scottish immigrants came to this country, they brought the story with them - but the turnip turned into a pumpkin. Jack of the Lantern, became, you guessed it, Jack O' Lantern - the star performer at every Halloween celebration.

The Jack O' Lantern has evolved over the years to become all kinds of designs on a pumpkin - whether it's carved or painted. Of course, you can also see them on cookies, cakes, desserts - and even pancakes and waffles.