Happy All Saint's Day

Today is All Saint's Day, which is a big holiday in Sweden. In fact, Cyle had a half day on Friday in honor of the holiday. 

Here is a brief history of the holiday. 

All Saints’ Day – the origins

In the year 731 AD, 1 November was designated a day of remembrance for saints of the church who had no days of their own. From the 11th century, 2 November was dedicated to all the dead, of whatever standing, and was called All Souls’ Day. It was widely observed by the populace, with requiems and bell-ringing, but was abolished with the arrival of the Reformation. In 1772, All Saints’ Day in Sweden was moved to the first Sunday in November and in 1953 to the Saturday between 31 October and 6 November.

In the 1900s, however, people began putting lighted candles on the graves of the departed on All Saints’ Day. This custom originated with wealthy families in towns and cities. But after the World War II, it spread throughout the country. Churches also began holding services of light to mark the day. 

To celebrate the holiday, we went to Skogskyrkogården cemetery in Stockholm. It's a large cemetery in the center of Stockholm and it was filled with candles. It was a beautiful sight to see.