10. Halloween’s Origin Story and Evolution Around the World

Today we’re taking a look at Halloween, the holiday itself. It’s roots date back around 2000 years, and while it’s celebrations are still concentrated in North America and the UK, we’ll be taking a look its origin story, how its evolved in the United States to modern day and how it has spread across the globe, mixing with local customs and traditions. References:

• History.com Editors. History of Halloween. A&E Television Networks, 2009. History Channel
• Rogers, Nicholas. Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night. Oxford University Press, 2002.
• Bannatyne, Lesley Pratt. Halloween: An American Holiday, An American History. Pelican Publishing, 1998.
• Morton, Lisa. Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween. Reaktion Books, 2012.
• Santino, Jack. Halloween and Other Festivals of Death and Life. University of Tennessee Press, 1994.
• NPR. The History of Trick-or-Treating. October 28, 2005.
• National Retail Federation (NRF). Halloween Spending Data & Statistics. Annual reports (various years).
• New York Village Halloween Parade. History of the Parade. Official site.
• National Confectioners Association. Most Popular Halloween Candy Rankings. (Annual industry survey).

• History.com Editors. Halloween 2023: History of Halloween Around the World. A&E Television Networks. https://www.history.com/topics/halloween
• Frazer, James.The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion. 1890. (Classic anthropological study on pagan festivals and their transformation into Christian observances.)