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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 on November 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. "Halloween" was simply the day before All Saints Day and was therefore not suppressed. 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 on November 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. "Halloween" was understood as simply the day before All Saints Day and was therefore not suppressed. Bonfires are one of the oldest and most persistent Halloween observances. This practice could have transferred from All Souls Day.
===Bonfires===
===Bonfires===