A History of Halloween-- Part 3: A Depression, A War and a Baby Boom

In the United States, by the 1920s, pranks had become the Halloween activity of choice for rowdy young people.

The Great Depression seemed to make this pranking even worse.  Some people say this pranking led to  the current community-based traditions of trick-or-treating in the United States starting in the 1930s.  However, World War II  meant sugar rationing  and there were fewer treats to hand out.

At the height of the Baby Boom after the war. Halloween activities came back stronger than ever.  It quickly became standard practice of millions of children in America's cities and booming suburbs. No longer constrained by sugar rationing, candy makers capitalized  on the lucrative ritual.

Today. Americans are estimated to spend $2.5 billion on candy during Halloween.

And, the day itself has become the nation's second-largest commercial holiday.

--CootCandy