Before Halloween was about treats, it was trouble-filled night for tricksters.
Halloween has always had painted pumpkins sitting on doorsteps glowing with scary faces. But the holiday has evolved into a family-friendly environment where kids can walk the streets safely.
Halloween was brought to United States by Scottish and Irish immigrants in the 19th century, according to The Library of Congress Blogs. They brought their folklore, jack-o-lanterns, and costumes. The tradition of young people going house to house to ask for candy began sometime around the 1920s or 1930s.
Haunted houses also became popular around that time, giving young people a destination and safe entertainment.
In the early days of Halloween, costumes were meant to be spooky like witches and skeletons.
By the 1950s, costumes became more family-friendly with characters you would see in movies or shows and children dressed up like Donald Duck or cowboys.
Today, Halloween is bigger than ever.
Americans spend around $13 billion on costumes and many more Halloween things, according to the National Retail Federation.
