History of Halloween in Timeline
Halloween, celebrated annually on October 31st, is a tradition originating from the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. This period, known as Allhallowtide, is dedicated to commemorating the dead, encompassing saints, martyrs, and all departed souls. While rooted in religious observance, Halloween has evolved into a widely celebrated secular event, characterized by themes of horror, the supernatural, and the macabre.
1911: First Recorded Instance of Guising in North America
The practice of children going "guising" in costume for treats was first documented in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, marking the beginning of the tradition's integration into North American Halloween celebrations.
1914: Publication of James Joyce's "Clay"
James Joyce's short story "Clay," which prominently features the traditional Irish Halloween game púicíní, was published in 1914, providing a literary depiction of the custom.
1915: Early Reference to Ritual Begging on Halloween
An undocumented reference points to ritual begging, a precursor to trick-or-treating, occurring on Halloween in 1915. The exact location remains unknown.
1915: Opening of the Orton and Spooner Ghost House
The Orton and Spooner Ghost House, recognized as the first recorded purpose-built haunted attraction, debuted in Liphook, England, pioneering a new form of Halloween entertainment.
1919: Publication of "The Book of Hallowe'en"
Ruth Edna Kelley published "The Book of Hallowe'en," the first comprehensive history of Halloween in the US. This book highlighted the adaptation of various customs from other countries into American Halloween traditions.
1920: Ritual Begging on Halloween in Chicago
Ritual begging, a precursor to trick-or-treating, is documented in Chicago, indicating a growing trend of the practice in different regions.
1927: First Printed Use of "Trick or Treat"
The phrase "trick or treat" appeared in print in the Blackie Herald of Alberta, Canada, marking the first documented instance of the term and its association with Halloween.
1931: Release of "Frankenstein"
The horror film "Frankenstein" premiered in 1931, contributing to the modern imagery of Halloween by associating the holiday with themes of death, evil, and mythical monsters.
1932: Release of "The Mummy"
The horror film "The Mummy" premiered in 1932, further solidifying the association of Halloween with themes of death, evil, and mythical monsters, and adding to its modern imagery.
1934: First US Appearance of "Trick or Treat"
The term "trick or treat" emerges in the US, indicating its growing recognition and association with Halloween festivities across North America.
1939: "Trick or Treat" in National Publication
The term "trick or treat" appeared in a national publication, solidifying its place in the American lexicon and marking the widespread adoption of the practice.
1950: Local "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" Launch
A neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia initiated a local "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" event, pioneering a new way to combine Halloween fun with charitable giving.
1952: National Expansion of "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF"
"Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" expanded nationally, providing children across the US with an opportunity to participate in philanthropy and support a global cause while celebrating Halloween.
1957: Opening of the San Mateo Haunted House
The San Mateo Haunted House, a significant early example of a Halloween-themed haunted attraction, opened in California.
1958: Opening of the San Bernardino Assistance League Haunted House
The San Bernardino Assistance League Haunted House opened its doors, further contributing to the emergence of Halloween-themed attractions.
1962: Home Haunts Spread Across the Country
Home haunts started gaining popularity across the US, marking a growing trend of individuals creating their own Halloween-themed attractions.
1963: Continued Growth of Home Haunts
The trend of home haunts continued to rise in popularity across the country, further solidifying their presence in American Halloween celebrations.
1964: Opening of San Manteo and Indianapolis Haunted Houses
The San Manteo Haunted House and the Children's Museum Haunted House in Indianapolis both opened, indicating the expanding presence of such attractions across different areas.
August 1969: Opening of The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland
Disneyland debuted The Haunted Mansion, solidifying the haunted house as a significant part of American culture and influencing future Halloween attractions.
1970: First Nonprofit Haunted House
The Sycamore-Deer Park Jaycees in Clifton, Ohio, organized the first Halloween haunted house run by a nonprofit, pioneering a new model for such attractions.
1972: First "Hell Houses" Open
Evangelical Christians introduced "hell houses," offering a different take on haunted attractions, reflecting religious themes and messages related to Halloween.
1973: Knott's Scary Farm Opens
Knott's Berry Farm launched its annual Halloween event, Knott's Scary Farm, further solidifying the popularity and presence of large-scale Halloween attractions.
1974: First New York's Village Halloween Parade
The inaugural New York's Village Halloween Parade took place, introducing what would become the world's largest Halloween parade and a significant spectacle in American culture.
1976: March of Dimes Haunted Houses
The March of Dimes copyrighted a "Mini haunted house for the March of Dimes," marking their entry into using haunted houses for fundraising and expanding the ways nonprofits engage with Halloween.
1982: Last Production of the Ohio Jaycees Haunted House
The Sycamore-Deer Park Jaycees in Clifton, Ohio, held the final iteration of their pioneering haunted house, concluding a significant chapter in nonprofit-run Halloween events.
May 1984: Haunted Castle Fire
In May 1984, a tragic fire occurred at the Haunted Castle attraction in Six Flags Great Adventure, leading to the death of eight teenagers.
1986: Six Flags Fright Fest Launch
In 1986, Six Flags launched its first Fright Fest, marking a significant entry of theme parks into the Halloween entertainment industry.
1991: Universal Studios Joins Halloween Fray
Following the success of Six Flags, Universal Studios Florida introduced Halloween Horror Nights in 1991, further solidifying the role of theme parks in shaping Halloween celebrations.
2006: Discontinuation of UNICEF Boxes in Canada
UNICEF decided to stop distributing collection boxes in Canada, citing safety and administrative concerns, and transitioned to a redesigned program.
2010: Estimated $200 Million Spent on Pet Costumes
Americans were estimated to have spent $200 million on Halloween costumes for their pets in 2010, highlighting the increasing trend of including pets in Halloween celebrations.
2018: Estimated $480 Million Spent on Pet Costumes
The National Retail Federation reported that Americans were projected to spend approximately $480 million on Halloween costumes for their pets in 2018, demonstrating the substantial growth of pet participation in Halloween.
2019: Halloween Home Decor Spending
In 2019, American consumers spent $2.7 billion on Halloween home decorations, reflecting the increasing trend of elaborate decorations.
2022: Halloween Spending Surge
Americans spent $10.6 billion on Halloween in 2022, indicating a significant increase in spending compared to previous years.
2023: Halloween Spending Projected to Reach New Heights
In 2023, Halloween spending in the United States is projected to hit $12.2 billion, highlighting the holiday's growing popularity and commercial success.