Every year during Diwali, Indian
forces approach their Pakistani
counterparts at the border
bearing gifts of traditional Indian
confectionery, a gesture that is
returned in kind by the Pakistani
soldiers.
Diwali has increasingly attracted
cultural exchanges, becoming an
occasion for politicians and
religious leaders worldwide to
meet Hindu or Indian origin
citizens, diplomatic staff or
neighbors. Many people
participate in other socio-
political events of the Indian
diaspora as a symbol of support
for diversity and inclusiveness.
Local governments in Asia and
Europe encourage or sponsor
Diwali-related festivities in their
territories, using the occasion to
highlight contributions of the
Hindu community to British
society. Since 2009, Diwali has
been celebrated every year at 10
Downing Street, the residence of
the British Prime Minister.
Diwali’s religious and historical
significance was officially
recognized by the United States
Congress in 2007.
In the USA, on the night of
October 31, Americans celebrate
Halloween by dressing in
costumes and telling tales of
witches and ghosts. Children go
from house to house to collect
sweets, and communities hold
parades and parties. Modern
Halloween customs were
influenced by ancient Celtic
harvest festivals, and some
things just carried on through
generations until today.
Initially an Irish and Scottish
tradition, through the influence
of American culture, especially
in entertainment, Halloween and
its observance spread to other
countries by the late 20th and
early 21st century.
Popular activities during
Halloween include trick-or-
treating, attending costume
parties, carving pumpkins or
turnips into jack-o'-lanterns,
lighting bonfires, apple bobbing,
divination games, playing
pranks, visiting haunted
attractions, telling frightening
stories, and watching spooky
films.
Kids and adults alike enjoy this
holiday and engage in family
activities, shopping for
Halloween attires, decorating
homes, and roaming the
neighborhoods together for
candies, apples, and caramel
treats. Throughout the month of
October, yards, public spaces,
and houses are adorned with
dark-themed symbols like
skeletons, ghosts, cobwebs,
cemetery headstones, and other
scary-looking toy items.
Halloween costumes were
traditionally modeled after
figures such as vampires,
witches, and devils. Over time,
the costume selection extended
to include popular characters
from movies, fiction, celebrities,
and generic archetypes such as
ninjas and princesses, reflecting
the most modern fashion and
trends year after year. Even pets
get dressed up for this holiday,
much to the delight of the
owners, their families, friends,
and neighbors.
During October, foods and cakes
are often decorated with
Halloween colors (typically
black, orange, and purple), and
motifs for parties and events.
Common themes include
pumpkins, spiders, and body
parts. In the American economy,
Halloween accounts for over
$10 billion spent annually,
always a bonanza for vendors.
The popularity of Halloween
decorations has been growing in
recent years, with retailers
offering a wider range of
increasingly elaborate and
oversized items. The colors of
the fall and even some
Halloween-themed objects are
also utilized extensively
throughout November, well into
Thanksgiving, the next major
autumn event.
Thanksgiving is a national
holiday celebrated on various
dates in October and November
in the United States, Canada,
Saint Lucia, Liberia, and
unofficially in countries like
Brazil and Germany. It is also
observed in the Australian
territory of Norfolk Island.
Overall, the holiday marks,
among many things, the
successful colonization of new
territories on other continents
by pioneers and early settlers.
Other highlights of this event
include an extended weekend or
mini-vacation for those in the
workforce, as well as a special
holiday menu, much anticipated
from earlier in the year.
On this occasion, Americans
prepare, share, and eat
traditional meals of roast turkey
or chicken, paired with stuffing,
mashed potatoes, green bean or
sweet potato casserole,
cranberry sauce, as well as
pumpkin or pecan pie, seasonal
favorites for many people.