Samhain- Or how all of these holidays were stolen

As kids (and not-so-kids) hurriedly scramble together costumes today for a night filled with candy and partying, we often get too caught up in the holiday to actually remember what it is. Halloween was originally a Gaelic festival called Samhain (Pronounced Sah-ween) that commemorated the end of summer and symbolized remembering the dead. Much of the classic Halloween traditions and actions taken are ripped from pagan myths and folklore (Such as Jack o' Lanterns). The appropriation of these Irish myths originated with the Romans, when they set out to conquer the islands off the coast of north-western Europe. Although Boudicca almost repelled them, the Romans succeeded in their conquest and brought Christianity with them, with only a few genocides along the way. Christianity back then, in case the Crusades weren't blatant enough, didn't take kindly to non-Christians. Another holiday that has only mildly disturbing roots is St. Patricks day. While the modern day spin on it is that it's meant to celebrate Irish culture, it's actually rooted in forced assimilation and eradication of Irish paganism and myths.  So, while trick-or-treating tonight, remember that these holidays are stolen from people that were then massacred. Happy Halloween!