Topics in Chronicling America - Halloween

The 1907 Los Angeles Herald features well-known Halloween customs, like mischievous pranks and Jack-O-Lanterns, but also the obscure, like forecasting the matrimonial futures of lovers. Originating as a blend of mythology and Christian superstitions, Halloween is celebrated on the eve of All Saints’ or All Hallows Day with the belief that spirits of the dead are amongst us. Read more about it!

The information and sample article links below provide access to a sampling of articles from historic newspapers that can be found in the Chronicling America: American Historic Newspapers digital collection (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/). Use the Suggested Search Terms and Dates to explore this topic further in Chronicling America.

Jump to: Sample Articles

Important Dates:

• October 31 Hallowe'en is celebrated.

Suggested Search Strategies:

• [Try the following terms in combination, proximity, or as phrases using Search Pages in Chronicling America.] All Hallow Eve, All Saints Day, Hallowe'en, Halloween, Hallowmas, celebration, party
• It is important to use a specific date range if looking for articles for a particular event in order to narrow your results.

Sample Articles from Chronicling America:

• "All Hallow Eve," The National Republican (Washington, DC), October 31, 1861, Page 3, Image 3, col. 1.
• "Halloween," The Daily Phoenix (Columbia, SC), October 31, 1866, Page 4, Image 4, col. 1-5.
• "All Hallow Eve," The Louisiana Democrat (Alexandria, LA), November 11, 1869, Page 2, Image 2, col. 5-6.
• "A Night of Mystery," The Morning Call (San Francisco, CA), October 31, 1891, Page 8, Image 8, col. 5-6.
• "Tis Fairies' Night," The Hawaiian Gazette (Honolulu [Oahu, HI]), November 29, 1895, Page 7, Image 7, col. 1-2.
• "Gay Lights and Old Shades of Old Halloween," The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, CA), October 29, 1899, Page 23, Image 23, col. 1-7.
• "Hallowe'en," The Paducah Sun (Paducah, KY), October 26, 1905, Page 7, Image 7, col. 4-5.
• "Hallowe'en--A Holiday Tradition," Los Angeles Herald (Los Angeles, CA), November 3, 1907, Page 2, Image 32, col. 1-7.
• "The Witch's Hour," Los Angeles Herald (Los Angeles, CA), October 24, 1909, Page 38, Image 38, col. 1-2.
• "Frivolous Follies and Fancies Fantastic that Fascinate Halloween's Maid," Evening Public Ledger (Philadelphia, PA), October 31, 1914, Night Extra, Page 10, Image 12, col. 1-7.
• "In Pumpkin Land the Jack-o'-lantern Is Still the Symbol of Halloween," New York Tribune (New York, NY), October 24, 1915, Page 45, Image 45, col. 1.
• "Halloween Raiders Steal Gate Wilson Swung On," The Washington Times (Washington, DC), November 4, 1916, Home Edition, Page 3, Image 3, col. 6.
• "The Time of Witches," The Columbia Evening Missourian (Columbia, MO), October 31, 1921, Last Edition, Page 4, Image 4, col. 2.
• "Baker's Dozen of Halloween Stunts," The Ogden Standard-Examiner (Ogden, UT), October 29, 1922, Page 8, Image 16, col. 3-5.