When most people think about history happening in their lifetime, they think of big political changes, elections, wars, natural disasters, etc. As a historian, I keep up with all those things (at least in theory) but the little things that I've observed in my personal history, out of the forty years I can remember, strike me as being worth a moment's thought.
Halloween has gone through changes that I've witnessed. Of course, we did celebrate Halloween when I was a kid (and no, we weren't burning witches at the stake, I'm not THAT old!) but it was nowhere near the event that is is today. I recall watching a 'children's costume parade' through downtown Madison, Florida, but the costumes were homemade, which meant a bed sheet with eye holes cut out or the ever-popular 'hobo' which was nothing but a collection of over sized clothes and a dirty face. A few kids sported 'store-bought' costumes from the aisle at Pic-N-Save. These disguises consisted of a hard plastic mask and a hospital style smock on which the clothing of some popular character (Superman, Wonder Woman, etc.) was crudely stamped. The mask would never pass safety standards today, and I doubt that any discriminating modern child would accept the tissue-thin 'dress' with plastic ties that formed most of the costume. Living in the country, trick-or-treating meant a quick trip to two neighbors' houses and then home; I never got to ramble around the block or throw eggs at anybody. For me, the biggest treat of Halloween was the school carnival, with the cakewalk, the apple bobbing, and the 'fish pond' where one would cast a line behind a sheet and pull it out to discover a Crackerjack box prize attached. I may have graying hair, but I can still remember the childish thrill of feeling a bite on that line.
Somewhere at home is a picture from grade school of me in the most elaborate Halloween costume I ever had. I was lucky in that my mother sewed, so my little outfits were more than a step above the dime store displays.
The sad thing was that I didn't want to be a witch or a ballerina---I insisted on being Martha Washington. Don't ask me why, I don't know, but there I was in the 18th century gown with my powdered hair in a bun. I guess I was a weird, historically-warped child.
When I look around now, I'm stunned by how elaborate Halloween has become. Instead of choosing between a ghost, a superhero, or a mummy, kids can be all manner of imaginative creatures and costume shops spring up in every mall to cater to childish and adult whimsy. Even Wal-Mart (the modern Pic-N-Save) devotes multiple aisles to decorations, candy, and party favors. Many of the houses in the neighborhoods near Wofford are covered in spider webs or turned out to resemble pirate ships. The gas station by my house is creepy and festive; next to the cashier is an animated gypsy's head floating inside a crystal ball. Needless to say, I'm not going back there until the holiday is over!
Even Wofford is more in the Halloween spirit than it ever used to be, with a fraternity hosting a haunted house for charity and the Theater Department offering a Halloween-themed play.
I like Halloween because I enjoy the creativity it brings out in people. I expect some of that will be on display tonight at a faculty professor's party. The last time I went to a costume function, I went as Lizzie Borden (complete with 'bloody' ax) and hardly anybody knew who I was. To bad I don't still fit into that Martha Washington get-up!

