Washington, DC. – Halloween is here. On October 31st the U.S. will celebrate once again one of the most popular festivities in the country’s traditions. Halloween, or Hallowe’en, has its origins in a Celtic festival known as Samhain, usually held on October 31st and November 1st. The name derived from Old Irish and means roughly the end of the summer. Since those old times, and through the medieval times, the celebration has evolved enriching itself from other traditions and beliefs. Nowadays, with the Christian influence, Halloween has become a modern celebration of the All Saints’ Day, and includes costumes, candies, pumkings, and the famous “Trick or treat?”

With or without candy, Halloween is known around the world as a day when everyone is dressed up in costumes. Witches, ghosts, skeletons, or devils have been the most popular since its origins, but the marketization of the traditions has brought a broad variety of costumes – Walt Disney characters, modern heroes, or cartoons of real people are some of the most popular elections. In the last years, the challenge of being original or distinct has forced people to choose costumes related to the latest news, and I bet that this year it will not be an exception.

October 31st is two days away from the mid-term election in the U.S. Due to the tight electoral contest and to the strong political battle, my first bet goes to the political spectrum in the country, and think there will be large members dressed in Tea Party themes. Sara Palin will be one of the most popular among U.S. citizens. Also costumes like a tea bag, red-necks or others related to the U.S. conservatism world are expected to be the most chosen. Not need to mention that, on the other political side, Barack and Michelle’s would be the winners.

I would also put my money on the Chilean miner costume. The 24-hours news cycle brought every trapped miner into the American’s homes. The happiness of its release was something celebrated not only in South America, but in the U.S. and all over the world, and it will inspire Americans in its election. Also the first World Cup reached by the national Spanish football team will be, for sure, another original and cheap option, especially among Latinamericans and Europeans.

However, no matter what would be the elected costume, Halloween is a celebration with an interesting social behavior in general, but in the U.S. in particular because of its social conservative behavior rules. Halloween is a day where everyone can be whatever they want – I mean, everyone can unleash their passions or phobias, and behind their costumes act without restrictions. On Halloween night, people will attend parties and hang out in the cities and villages as if political correctness didn’t exist. Women and men will liberate themselves being cat-women, high-heels assistants, hottie short-skirts waitresses, innocent nurses, hard cow-boys, intrepid villains or supermen, with costumes to match.

Almost everyone will take the streets to enjoy the most popular and less conservative celebration in the U.S. No matter your beliefs, your social status, or your education, the costume you chose will be an excuse to liberate part of your repressed personality — being a Chilean miner, a Spanish soccer player, a villan, or Jessica Rabbit is only an excuse.

What will be your election?

Photo: bytes.org