Deep History of Halloween 2
In the United States, American settlers brought their own beliefs about witches and ghosts. Irish and Scottish immigrants in the 1800s as well as Germans brought lore and costumes of their own, and voodoo beliefs came with Haitian and African peoples. The United States had a variety of beliefs that were regional by the end of the 1800s.
New Hampshire had barn dances, and New York City had parades and firecrackers. North Carolinians believed that the wind carried whispers of the future, and in Louisiana, cooking a supper eaten without speaking was common.
Large community celebrations became common the in 1900s, and adults joined in the fun more. Trick or treating became really popular in the 1940s and 1950s, with Halloween becoming more commercial each year. Now, even wearing a costume on the job is common, and large cities have large nightclub and party celebrations. Amusement parks are rife with celebrations, and private and civic organizations use the holiday as a springboard to raise money for charitable causes.
