Early Colonial Influence

In colonial America, Halloween was a day of fear for Protestants who believed that ghosts and witches roamed the Earth. However, with the rise of immigrants from other parts of Europe, Halloween evolved into a day in which people dressed up and went around asking others for food, or "treats". Pranks were also played. During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Halloween became a non-secular event based on community gatherings where children and adults would dress up and play games. Trick-or-treating also played a prominent role, but was used by children to receive candy from neighbors instead of adults asking for food.