Home
slideshows
miscellaneous
13 photos that show how trick-or-treating has evolved over the last five decades

13 photos that show how trick-or-treating has evolved over the last five decades

(1966) Children in Oakland, New Jersey, dressed as superheroes and villains — "costume makers ... say that the comics are providing most of the ideas for this year's kiddy getup."

(1969) Governor John Love of Colorado with trick-or-treaters collecting donations for UNICEF.

The practice of fundraising for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) while trick or treating dates back to 1950. According to UNICEF, US trick-or-treaters have raised over $160 million for the fund to date.

Source: UNICEF

(1977) Halloween party for grown-up trick-or-treaters at New York's infamous discotheque Studio 54.

Source: AP

(1987) A family trick-or-treats in the Loop in Chicago.

Source: Getty

(1980) Trick-or-treaters wearing masks of presidential candidates Jimmy Carter (left) and Ronald Regan (right).

Source: Getty

(1982) Kids wear E.T. masks at Boston's Museum of Science Halloween party. Spielberg's cult classic was released that June and dominated as a costume that year.

Source: Insider

(1983) A shot from a PSA filmed by Dr. Joyce Brothers, a psychologist and TV personality, on behalf of the National Confectioners Association, which sought to calm parents after the Chicago Tylenol Murders.

Tylenol capsules were laced with deadly potassium cyanide in the Chicago area in September 1982. Seven people died, and the murderers were never found. The ordeal raised concerns for parents, who worried about their children accepting candy from strangers while trick-or-treating on Halloween.

Sources: Business Insider, AP, Mental Floss

(1983) The 10th annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade in New York City.

The annual parade continues — it's now in its 46th year.

(1984) Geraldine Ferraro, the Democratic vice presidential candidate in the 1984 election, hands out candy to children at a Wisconsin nursery school.

(1995) New York City trick-or-treaters watching the "Skatefright Masquerade" Halloween party in Central Park.

(1999) Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura decks out the Governor's Residence with 20,000 lights for trick-or-treaters.

(2001) Omaha, Nebraska, trick-or-treaters cross the street.

(2003) A Halloween safety demonstration at a Philadelphia hospital. The Lifesavers trick-or-treater wears a reflective panel for safety.

Apple's 4th-quarter earnings will provide an early look at iPhone 11 sales. H…