Initially a pagan ritual, Halloween has become a night for children to dress up and collect candy for more than a hundred years. The following are a few images of kids, as well as adults, dressed up in costume, during the first half of the 20th century.
A Group of Children in Halloween Outfits, Milwaukee, Wis., ca. 1930s
Youngsters Celebrate Halloween at a Costume Party in the San Luis Town School on 1511 N. Weber Street, Colorado Springs, Colo., 1953
Halloween Party at Volland, Kans., ca. 1920
Halloween Party at Southside Grade School in Russell, Kans., 1943
Charles and Annette Witherington in Halloween Costumes, Orlando, Fla., ca. 1932
John White Alexander Dressed as a mummy at the Autumn Fair,Onterora, N.Y., 1903
Halloween Party at State Normal School, Kearney, Nebr., 1908
Children, Oakley, Kans., 1907
Happy Halloween!