Did you know that All Hallows’ Eve or more commonly known as Halloween originally comes from the ancient Celtic ritual of Samhain over two thousand years ago, in basic understanding Halloween was an old festival in which people would celebrate the changing of seasons from light to dark (summer to winter) by dressing up in costumes and having a bonfire. Although the celebration has shifted from a mass ritual to going door to door trick-or-treating, Halloween is still widely celebrated in many countries around the world, but it’s especially popular in the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, it is truly amazing how this tradition of people dressing up in costumes, going trick-or-treating, and attending spooky events with friends has been celebrated for this great length of time.

Although it is true that Halloween has not been celebrated in America for the last two centuries, it can be said that the Halloween spookiness started at some point, here is a timeline of the development of Halloween in America

· 1800s: First Jack-o’-lanterns appear

· 1900s: Bobbing for apples becomes popular, and Halloween pranks appear

· 1920s: Costume and masquerade balls become popular

· 1930s: Halloween parades and the first mass-produced costumes appear

· 1935: Haunted houses and corn mazes appear

· 1950s: Trick-or-treating for candy becomes one of Halloween’s most popular activities

· 1960s: Toilet paper becomes a new prank

· 1970s–1980s: Adult scary costumes return, and there is a fear of poisoned or dangerous treats

Although Halloween has not changed much in America over the last fourth years, it is still an exciting event for families to go out trick-or-treating and spend quality time together getting free candy.

Sources: www.TODAY.com, www.nypl.org