Halloween first came to America with early settlers from Celtic areas inEurope, such as Ireland and Scotland. But other American settlers with strictreligious beliefs,including the Puritans from England, rejected Halloween. Thearrival of many Irish immigrants during the 1800s helped spread Halloween'spopularity.
But by the late 1800s,fewer people believed in ancient superstitions ofghosts and witches. Halloween became more a holiday for children to receivetreats and dress in costume.