A petition to change the date of Halloween to the last Saturday of October has surpassed 57,000 signatures.
According to history.com, the date of the holiday was established in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
"Halloween is an annual holiday celebrated each year on October 31," history.com says, "and Halloween 2019 occurs on Thursday, October 31. It originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts."
Supporters of the change think it would be safer and easier to conduct the spooky holiday on a weekend rather than October 31, which often lands on a weekday.
"It makes more sense to have it always on a Saturday so that we don't have to worry about getting the kids home and in bed early for school the next day." Danielle Paris commented on the on the online petition, "Also, for most people, they wouldn't have to worry about working that day or the day following."
Some people support the change but also don't want people who celebrate the holiday for religious reasons. Halloween currently falls on the eve of All Saint's Day, a Christian holiday celebrated since the 7th century.
"Don’t call it Halloween if you change the day." Thomas Sanders wrote in a comment on the petition, "Call it Trick Or Treat Night. All Hallows’ Eve is a religious holiday for some."
The petition to change the date has gathered some steam online since it was created last year. It currently has over 57,000 signatures on change.org. The petition's next goal is 75,000 signatures.
