TORONTO, October 3, 2002 -- If you thought that Halloween was only about Jack-o'-lanterns, trick-or-treating and spooky stories, think again. York University history Prof. Nicholas Rogers chronicles the rich and complex history of this popular night in his new book, Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night (Oxford University Press 2002).
Rogers traces Halloween from its Celtic and Christian origins to its arrival in North America as an Irish and Scottish festival, and its development into the unofficial, but large-scale holiday it is today. He examines the 1970s and 1980s phenomena of Halloween sadism (including razor blades in apples), inner-city violence, Devil's Night, and Halloween's immense influence on the horror film genre.
"Halloween remains, at its core, a night of inversion, when social norms are turned upside down and freedom of expression reigns supreme," says Rogers. He adds that the uninhibited spirit associated with modern-day Halloween celebrations often prompts censure by the religious right and law enforcement officials.
Citing incidents in Halifax and Kingston, Rogers examines how Halloween pranks, rowdiness and vandalism prior to the First World War were commonplace and usually tolerated by the law enforcement officials and local communities, provided that they did not inflict too much damage to property or endanger life.
That attitude quickly changed when it became apparent that Halloween revellers were getting out of hand. Rogers provides details of the Toronto Kew Beach riot of 1945, considered to be the worst Halloween disturbance in Toronto's history. High school students erected several bonfires and barricades along Queen Street East. Mounted police and firefighters arriving on scene were pelted with rocks resulting in several injuries and 13 arrests. An estimated 7,000 youths descended on the police station on Main Street to free the detainees and had to be dispersed with tear gas and water cannons.
On the lighter side, Rogers also reveals that Canadians spend more than $700 million a year on Halloween candy, costumes and party accessories. In the United States, that figure is approximately $6.8 billion, making Halloween the second most important retail holiday of the year, after Christmas.
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For further information, please contact:
| Prof. Nicholas Rogers | Ken Turriff |
| Dept. of History, Faculty of Arts | Media Relations |
| York University | York University |
| 416-736-2100, ext. 30414 | 416-736-2100, ext. 22086 |
| nickrog@yorku.ca | kturriff@yorku.ca |
YU/085/02
