You might find it hard to believe that Halloween is not another Hallmark holiday made to create millions of dollars in commercial candy, card and costume sales.
Also, Halloween wasn’t founded in America. Irish and the Scottish immigrants carried their versions of the tradition to North America in the 19th century. Soon to follow would be Canada, Ireland, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.
Halloween was originally called Samhain, which was the name of an ancient Celtic festival that celebrated the end of the harvest season and the preparation of winter.
It was believed that on Oct. 31 the worlds of the living and the dead would cross and the dead would come back to life and spread sickness to the living and damage their crops. During the festival people wore masks to keep the evil spirits at bay.
Fast forward to the 20th century where the custom of trick or treating came to play during Halloween. Children in costumes knocked on doors asking the homeowner that simple question: “Trick or Treat?” The trick part happened to those who did not answer the door, or did so with no treats. Tricks played by kids in America often involved egging someone’s home, or draping their yard in toilet paper. In the United Kingdom, police have often been called out because of the severity of the “tricks” the children play. The term “trick or treat” first appeared in print in 1934.
The act of dressing up and begging door-to-door actually extends as far back as the Middle Ages when the poor would go knocking on doors on Hallowmas (Nov. 1). They would receive food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day (Nov 2).
Halloween was also known as All Hallows’ Eve. It was one of four, and the most powerful, holy days throughout the year when spirits could walk the earth and communicate with the living.
Before the commercial world joined in, children would beg door to door for treats, but the treats were not wrapped sweets like we know today. They would receive nuts and homemade candies.
Today, the Halloween capital of the world is Anoka, Minn. In 1920, it was the first community to hold a Halloween celebration in effort to prevent kids from pulling pranks around town. The town organized a parade and the kids that participated were rewarded with candy and popcorn. Since that time, the city has continued the annual parade and festivities, with the exception of 1942 and 1943 due to the war.
On a final note, Halloween is the second largest commercial holiday in the United States. Surprisingly it beats out Valentine’s Day with $6.9 billion dollars in commercial sales each year.
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