Halloween

In the United States, October 31st has become a major celebration for adults and children. Commercially, Halloween has become second after Christmas in the amount of revenue it generates. Originally, Halloween in the United States was almost exclusively a children's event. Trick-or-treating became a widespread activity after World War II. While treats could include apples and homemade sweets, the favored treat was commercially produced candy. In the United States, then, Halloween has always reflected the commercial culture of capitalism.

People host costume parties with representations of death, evil and chaos in general.

November 1st became, in the sixth century, the Feast of All Saints, or All Hallows. Many of the traditions surrounding this occasion continued, and the Eve of All Hallows, Hallow Evening, has become the word "Hallowe'en." In the ninth century, November 2nd was assigned the Feast of All Souls, a day set aside for prayers for all the departed who had died during the previous year.