Illustration of an orange witch wearing a black robe, cape and hat and riding a broom over houses with an orange sky and yellow moon and black text.

Both Halloween and witches have a long history. Currently, Halloween is celebrated on October 31st every year. However, this holiday originated over 2,000 years ago with the Celtic people. The Celts would celebrate what they called Samhain on October 31st, as they believed the two worlds (the living and the dead) became blurred on this night. In 609 A.D., Christianity evolved the holiday from a pagan Samhain to a Christian All Souls’ Day. In the latter half of 19th century America, Halloween as we know it today became more popularized with the help of Irish immigrants. This new version of the holiday shifted from being about ghosts and witches to being about friends, family, and trick-or-treating in the neighborhood.

The history of witches is complex and, often, dark. Many have heard of the Salem Witch Trials from 1692. During these trials, the accused were “tried” and ultimately killed. But the history of witches dates back to the mid-1400s in Europe, when witches would confess to their “evil crimes” and were also killed. Most witches in Europe were thought to be related to the Devil. However, the classic persona of an old woman with a crooked nose and tall, black hat is a newer addition.

Orange and yellow jack-o-langern with a black sky with purple stars with yellow and orange block text.

Halloween is a celebration held on October 31st each year in many different countries around the world.  The word Halloween or Hallowe’en comes from a Scottish term for All Hallows’ Eve, the evening before All Hallows’ Day or All Saints’ Day.  This Christian celebration honors all saints and is celebrated on November 1st, thus Halloween or All Hallow’s’ Eve is the day before that celebration.  Modern celebrations of Halloween include dressing up in costumes, walking from house to house (known as trick-or-treating), and going to social events/parties.  Another tradition is carving jack-o-lanterns, which are carved faces or designs on pumpkins, turnips, or other root vegetables. Named after the light that flickers over peat bogs, these carved vegetables have a light placed inside them so that they glow at night.

Illustration of a jack-o-lantern with orange text over its mouth on a black background.

The Excalibur Hotel is a medieval themed hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. At the center of the hotel, there are turret-topped buildings made to look like a castle. Circus Circus Enterprises, a chain which also owns another well-known hotel on the Strip of its title name, opened Excalibur in 1990. In 2005, MGM Resorts International purchased the hotel. Excalibur hosts shows, such as Tournament of Kings, The Thunder Down Under, and a variety of themed parties for holidays including Halloween.

Illustration of a green witch in a blue hat and robe, with orange text on a black background.  

Company founder Russ Berrie started his business with $500, he rented a garage in Palisades Park, New Jersey, and launched his own firm named after himself. Berrie intended to design, market, and distribute “impulse” gift items. From the start, Russ Berrie & Company produced a string of hit products that quickly found their way onto countertops, desks and dashboards across the country. Among the company’s earliest creations: Fuzzy Wuzzies (tiny fur ball-like critters bearing messages like “You’re My Best Friend” or “Wild Thing”), troll dolls (squat gnomes with plumes of brightly colored hair) and the Bupkis Family (a motley collection of endearingly ugly rubber figurines). The owner believed in the power of “transformational giving,” partnering with energetic, visionary leaders to change the world for the better. He took an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy, using his keen interpersonal skills to identify people and causes in which to invest and working closely with partners to hone strategies and set expectations.  “There is nothing more important in life than helping a fellow human being.” — Russell Berrie (1933-2002)

Illustration of Frankenstein in brown clothes holding a yellow sign with black text on a purple background with candy corn on it.

This button was made by World Fun Inc. sometime after 1981 when the company began to design and sell materials for Halloween. Fun World Inc is a division of the larger corporation, Easter Unlimited, Inc which specializes in products for American Holidays.

Illustration of a green witch with orange hair, black dress and purple cape on a yellow background with a black cauldron with yellow text on it.

This button was made by World Fun Inc. sometime after 1981 when the company began to design and sell materials for Halloween. Fun World Inc is a division of the larger corporation, Easter Unlimited, Inc which specializes in products for American Holidays.

Black text on an orange background

Black text on an orange background

Illustration of a white ghost with yellow eyes over yellow and orange text on a purple background.

This button was made by World Fun Inc. sometime after 1981 when the company began to design and sell materials for Halloween. Fun World Inc is a division of the larger corporation, Easter Unlimited, Inc which specializes in products for American Holidays.

White bubble text on a black background

"Boo" is a phrase used as an interjection that was meant to either surprise or frighten. “BOO” comes from  the Middle English “bo”, same meaning, which was used in writing as early as the 1500s. Boo has been associated with Halloween and the noise a ghost makes when scaring someone. People attempting to scare others may hide and jump out exclaiming, "Boo."