Halloween is a time for celebration in the USA; it's become the second most popular holiday in the nation over the years.

Halloween is known for its oftentimes scary costumes, elaborate parties and events, horror film festivals, and its many gothic trappings.

This holiday was a latecomer to the US, not really becoming popular until the early 20th century.

Today, it's one of the most anticipated holidays in the USA.

Halloween is very much associated with scary costumes and things that are wonderfully creepy.

Do you know what holiday dressing up in scary costumes was likely borrowed from?

We'll show you the answer at the end of this video.

People in the USA typically carve pumpkins into scary jack-o'-lanterns, decorate their houses to look as creepy as possible, and wear elaborate costumes to celebrate this holiday.

These aspects of Halloween, according to some, have their roots in various Celtic and European myths, legends, and cultural traditions.

Today, popular horror films have also influenced the cultural traditions that surround Halloween.

The monster movies of the early 20th century are significant contributors to the look and feel of modern Halloween celebrations in the USA.

Trick-or-treating started at the beginning of the 20th century to curb the vandalism and destruction that once characterized this holiday in the USA.

Today, Halloween is a night when the streets are full of families getting treats from their neighbors, and vandalism and other problems are rare.

Some families and social groups set up elaborate haunted houses and invite people to go through for free or for a donation.

Hay rides and other nighttime events are also very popular in rural areas.

Check the local theaters and TV stations around Halloween, and you'll find plenty of scary stuff to watch, too.

Over the years, Halloween costumes in the USA have become more varied.

Some people, particularly younger participants, forgo the dark gothic theme of the holiday and dress up as characters from adventure movies, literary figures, or even historical figures.

And now, here's the answer to the quiz.

Do you know what holiday dressing up in scary costumes was likely borrowed from?

Samhain is considered to be a significant influence on Halloween celebrations, though this is disputed by some scholars.

Samhain was, and still is to some extent, celebrated in Scotland and Ireland.

It's associated with the final harvest of the year, more than it is with scary ghouls and goblins, those spirits do play a part.

The dressing up was originally done to scare malicious spirits away or to trick them into thinking that you were one of them to avoid harm.

How was this lesson?

Did you learn something interesting? is Halloween celebrated in your country?

If so, how? Please leave a comment at Englishclass 101.com. Until next time!