Day of the Dead in Halloween History

Video Transcript

"Hi, I'm Ginny on behalf of Expert Village and I'd like to tell you a story. Come, travel back in time with me as we explore the brief History of Halloween. People from many countries other than European countries have also added to our All American Halloween customs. Many countries, especially in Central and South America have a day of the dead. For instance, Mexican immigrants contributed their day of the dead to our current Halloween customs. The day of the dead, in Mexico, was a time in which families would visit cemeteries and have picnics near the graves of their loved ones. They would eat food shaped like coffins and skulls, wear traditional Mexican dress and white masks, and light candles on the graves of those family members who had passed on. Modern Halloween practices have evolved over the years to become what they are today. In the early 1900's people had parties celebrating fall. They would gather for a time of corn popping, taffy pulling, hayride and dancing. Eventually the boys would go out and cause mischief like tipping over outhouses and egging houses. By the early 1930's these pranks we're becoming serious cases of vandalism and the local communities began sponsoring safe Halloween events to curb the vandalism. The words, Trick-or-Treat, as far as we can tell first appeared in print in 1939. Soon, children were going throughout towns, villages, and communities dressed in costumes and begging candy from the neighbors, calling out trick-or-treat. And now, stay tuned for the History of Halloween, Chapter 14."