History of Halloween in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 22, 2025

Halloween is an annual celebration on October 31st, preceding All Hallows' Day and marking the start of Allhallowtide, a period for remembering the dead, including saints and martyrs. While rooted in religious observance, it has evolved into a popular cultural event. It is widely associated with themes of horror, the macabre, and the supernatural, moving away from its purely religious origins to embrace secular traditions.

1911: Guising in North America

In 1911, a newspaper in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, reported children going "guising" around the neighborhood, marking an early instance of this custom in North America.

1911: First Reference to Guising in North America

In 1911, the first reference to "guising" in North America appeared.

1914: Púicíní Featured in "Clay"

In 1914, the Irish game púicíní ("blindfolds") features prominently in the James Joyce short story "Clay".

1915: Reference to Ritual Begging

In 1915, another reference to ritual begging on Halloween appeared, place unknown.

1915: Opening of the Orton and Spooner Ghost House

In 1915, the first recorded purpose-built haunted attraction, the Orton and Spooner Ghost House, opened in Liphook, England.

1919: Publication of The Book of Hallowe'en

In 1919, Ruth Edna Kelley wrote The Book of Hallowe'en, the first book-length history of Halloween in the US, discussing the adoption and adaptation of customs from other countries.

1920: Reference to Ritual Begging in Chicago

In 1920, a reference to ritual begging appeared in Chicago.

1927: First Use of "Trick or Treat"

In 1927, the earliest known use in print of the term "trick or treat" appeared in the Blackie Herald, of Alberta, Canada.

1931: Release of Frankenstein

In 1931, the classic horror film Frankenstein was released, contributing to the modern imagery associated with Halloween.

1932: Release of The Mummy

In 1932, the classic horror film The Mummy was released, contributing to the modern imagery associated with Halloween.

1934: First US Appearances of "Trick-or-treating"

In 1934, the first US appearances of the term "trick-or-treating" were recorded.

1939: First Use of "Trick-or-treating" in National Publication

In 1939, the first use of the term "trick-or-treating" in a national publication occurred.

1950: Start of "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF"

In 1950, the "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" fundraising program began as a local event in a Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood.

1952: "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" Expands Nationally

In 1952, "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" expanded nationally, involving the distribution of collection boxes to trick-or-treaters.

1957: Opening of San Mateo Haunted House

In 1957, sponsored by the Children's Health Home Junior Auxiliary, the San Mateo Haunted House opened.

1958: Opening of San Bernardino Assistance League Haunted House

In 1958, the San Bernardino Assistance League Haunted House opened.

1962: Home Haunts Begin Appearing Across the Country

In 1962, home haunts began appearing across the country.

1963: Home Haunts Continued Appearing Across the Country

In 1963, home haunts continued appearing across the country.

1964: Openings of San Mateo Haunted House and Children's Museum Haunted House

In 1964, the San Mateo Haunted House and the Children's Museum Haunted House in Indianapolis opened.

August 1969: Opening of The Haunted Mansion

On August 12, 1969, The Haunted Mansion opened in Disneyland, contributing to the haunted house as an American cultural icon.

1970: First Halloween Haunted House Run by a Nonprofit

In 1970, the first Halloween haunted house run by a nonprofit organization was produced by the Sycamore-Deer Park Jaycees in Clifton, Ohio.

1972: First "hell houses" Opened

In 1972, Evangelical Christians opened one of the first "hell houses".

1973: Opening of Knott's Scary Farm

In 1973, Knott's Berry Farm began hosting its own Halloween night attraction, Knott's Scary Farm.

1974: New York's Village Halloween Parade Began

In 1974, the yearly New York's Village Halloween Parade was begun, becoming the world's largest Halloween parade and America's only major nighttime parade.

1976: March of Dimes Copyrighted "Mini haunted house for the March of Dimes"

In 1976, The March of Dimes copyrighted a "Mini haunted house for the March of Dimes" and began fundraising through their local chapters by conducting haunted houses soon after.

1982: Last Production of Sycamore-Deer Park Jaycees Haunted House

In 1982, the Sycamore-Deer Park Jaycees Haunted House in Clifton, Ohio, had its last production.

May 1984: Haunted Castle Fire at Six Flags Great Adventure

In May 1984, the Haunted Castle at Six Flags Great Adventure caught fire, resulting in the deaths of eight teenagers and leading to tightened safety regulations.

1986: Six Flags Fright Fest Began

In 1986, Six Flags Fright Fest began.

1991: Universal Studios Florida Began Halloween Horror Nights

In 1991, Universal Studios Florida began Halloween Horror Nights.

2006: UNICEF Discontinues Halloween Collection Boxes in Canada

In 2006, UNICEF decided to discontinue their Halloween collection boxes in Canada due to safety and administrative concerns, redesigning the program after consulting with schools.