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→History
==History==
==History==
In medieval times, it was thought that the living could help the souls of the dead escape purgatory on All Souls' Day (Nov. 2) by lighting bonfires and by other activities. When the Reformation swept Scotland in May 1559, All Saints' Day (Nov. 1), All Souls' Day, and other Catholic holidays were suppressed. At this time, Halloween was simply the before All Saints Day and not an independent festival. Bonfires are one of the oldest and most persistent Halloween observances. This practice could have transferred from All Souls Day.
In medieval times, it was thought that the living could help the souls of the dead escape purgatory on All Souls' Day (Nov. 2) by lighting bonfires and by other activities. When the Reformation swept Scotland in May 1559, All Souls' Day was suppressed along with other Catholic holidays. At this time, Halloween was simply the before All Saints Day, not an independent festival. Bonfires are one of the oldest and most persistent Halloween observances. This practice could have transferred from All Souls Day.
===Bonfires===
===Bonfires===