Thursday, October 31, 2013

History of Hallowe'en

Jamie Bradburn of Histoicist has a nice detailed account of how Toronto responded to Orson Welles' Hallowe'en night "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast.  It seems to undermine this claim that it's al a myth and nobody really panicked that night.

A bit spookier:  this Hallowe'en story from the Toronto Globe of 1885, first run here in 2006.

Update, All Soul's Day (November 1, heathens):   Russ Chamberlayne reports by email:
Your recounting of the 19th century hijinks by University of Toronto medical students has an echo in the diary of William Lyon MackenzieKing. In 1893, as a U. of T. student, he reported taking part in student vandalism, including carrying "a large flag pole" (just imagine!).
"Being Hallowe'en... the chief work of the evening was to tear down an old shed on the Varsity grounds. We sang college songs, tore down fences & as usual. I carried a large flag pole.  The police were very rough. Many fellows were struck."
Today the Toronto Star reports that Mayor Rob Ford went trick-or-treating with his children last night, wearing a Maple Leafs jersey. Imagine some Etobicoke householder encountering a guy in a Rob Ford costume, then realizing it is Rob Ford.  Spooky.


 
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