Photo Credit: National Archives
“Four young members of the Madison Square Boy’s Club rowing a boat in a rooftop pool, Manhattan skyscrapers in the background, Feb. 1950.” With such little space in New York City, I guess people have to get their training in anywhere they can…
Photo Credit: Frances Benjamin Johnston/Smithsonian Institute
A group of school children in 1899 viewing the first bison at the National Zoological Park – commonly known as the National Zoo – part of the Smithsonian Institute.
Photo Credit: Gertrude Käsebier/George Eastman House Collection
This photo is simply entitled “Dancing School” and was taken by influential early 20th century photographer Gertrude Käsebier. She was especially known for her eloquent images of motherhood, which can be seen in this 1905 photograph that may depict three young girls and their mother dancing.
Photo Credit: The New York Public Library
Marine bidding farewell to his child before going to war, ca. 1918.
Photo Credit: Al Ravenna/World Telegram/Library of Congress
Dorothy Belaski (left) of Ozone Parks, Queens, and Patricia Caserta of Brooklyn hold their Erin Go Bragh flags while straining for the first glimpse of marchers in New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, 1950. New York City held its first St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17, 1762 when a group of Irish militia in Lower Manhattan marched a few blocks to a tavern. It has since become the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade as well as the oldest civilian parade in the world.
Photo Credit: Library of Congress
Braille letter with handwritten transcription:
Perkins School For The Blind
Watertown 72, Mass.
Dear Ike,
I decided to write you a little speech which might help you to win the election.
Vote for me. I will help you out. I will lower the prices and also your tax bill. I also will help the negroes, so that they may go to school.
Good Luck in November.
John Beaulieu
Age 13 Grade Six.
Photo Credit: Adolph B. Rice Studio/Library of Virginia
The photo is of a Valentine’s dance at a Virginia school on February 15, 1956. Sometimes there is nothing better than one of those school dances where kids are looking everywhere but at their partners, the gap between partners could actually fit a whole other person and the ladies man of the class is dancing with a broom…
Title: HEADQUARTERS 5TH MARINE DIVISION December 17th, 1944
My dear little boys:
I am writing to you today, just a week before Christmas eve, in the hope that you will get this little note at Christmas time. All of this coming week will be holidays, and I can just imagine the fun you will be having, especially when you know that it is just a few days before Santa Claus will be coming. If it were possible, I would like to come down the chimney myself and crawl right in to your stocking, wouldn’t that be a surprise? I would enjoy it even more than you, but since your Dad is far away and Santa Claus has the only reindeers that will fly through the air, I’m afraid we will have to let Santa Claus use them. After all he has so many places to go in such a short time.
I won’t be able to give you a Christmas present personally this year, but I do want you to know that I think of you all the time and feel very proud of the way you have been helping your Mother while I am gone. I know that it is only natural for young, healthy and strong boys like you are to want to play and have fun all of the time; but I do want you to think about helping Mummie, because it is hard for her to do everything while I am gone. I know that you would like to give me a Xmas present too, so I will tell you what you can do, and this will be your Xmas present to me. Everyday ask Mummie if there are any errands that you can do for her, and when there are errands to run, say, “sure Mummie” and give her a big smile; then during the day go up to your room and look around, if there are toys scattered all around, or you left some of your clothes on the floor, pick them up; also, when Mummie is busy trying to clean up the house, don’t leave her by herself, but ask Mummie if you can help take care of baby sister. If you do those things for me, that will be the finest Xmas present that you could give me. Oh yes, and CC, are you eating your meals like a real man now?
Well my boys, I guess you often wonder why people fight and have wars, and why lots of daddies have to be away at Xmas time fighting, when it would be so much nicer to be at home. That’s a hard question to answer. But, you see, some countries like Japan and Germany, have people living in them, just like some people you and I know. Those people want to tell everybody what they can do and what they can’t do. No one likes to be told how to live their life. I know that you wouldn’t like it if one of the boys in the neighborhood tried to tell you what church you should go to, what school you should go to and particularly if that boy would always be trying to “beat up” some smaller or weaker boy. You wouldn’t like it, would you? And, unfortunately the only way to make a person like that stop these sort of things, or a country like Japan or Germany, is to fight them and beat them… and teach them that being a bully (because after all, that’s what they are) is not the way to live and that we won’t put up with it. What does all of this mean to you? Just simply this, my boys, Dad doesn’t want you to ever be a bully, I want you to always fight against anyone who tries to be one; I want you to always help the smaller fellow, or the little boy who may not be as strong as you; I want you to always share what you have with the other fellow; and above all, my boys have courage, have courage to do the things that you think are right. Never be afraid to fight for what you think is right. To do those things, you need a strong body and a brave heart; never run away from someone you may be afraid of; if you do, you will always feel ashamed of yourself and before long you will find it so easy to run away from the things that you should stand up and fight against. If you and lots of other boys try to do the things that Dad has been talking about in this letter, it may be that people will not have to fight wars in the years to come and then all of the Daddies in this world will be home for Christmas and that is where they belong. Perhaps, some of the things that I have been talking about,… you don’t quite understand, if you don’t, Mummie will explain them to you, as she knows……
A Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year… God Bless you,
Daddy
Two months after he wrote to his sons, Lt. Isaacks was killed at Iwo Jima.
[via: The Best of World War II; Source: The National WWII Museum]
There are many theories about origins of trick-or-treating, but the widely accepted version is that the practice of going door to door originated in ninth-century Europe. At first it was called “souling” and would occur on All Soul’s Day. Christians would walk from town to town asking for square biscuits with currants, called “soul cakes.” The beggars would promise to offer prayers for the giver’s dead relatives in purgatory. The generosity of the donor affected the number of prayers the beggars would give.
In Scotland and Ireland, trick-or-treating was originally called “guising” since children went from house to house in disguise. The children would receive food or money as they went door to door. The earliest recorded mention of guising in Scotland was in 1895, now though, it has become common among Scots and Irish to use “trick-or-treat” instead.
Children out trick-or-treating, 1950
In North America, trick-or-treating was not a country-wide tradition until the early 1950s. The term “trick-or-treat” wasn’t seen until around that time as well. It started to become a Halloween tradition in the years leading up to World War II. However, with the sugar rationing during the war it stopped, only to be taken up again in the early 1950s.
And the rest, as they say, is history!
Random Trick-or-Treat Facts:
Trick-or-Treating, 1948
Sources
Charles Panati, Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things, New York: Harper, 1989, 64.
“Parade,” October 28, 2012, 4.
Woman’s Day
Photos
Pumpkin
Both Trick-or-Treat via Vintage Everyday.
The specific origins of Halloween are often debated. Like many historical events created in ancient times, much of how we celebrate Halloween today is a compilation of hundreds of years including the input of many different people. The most agreed upon version is that it began as a festival for witches, goblins and ghosts.
Ancient Celtic Origins
Originating with ancient Celts in the 5th century B.C. who were among the firsts to celebrate October 31st. They called it “All Hallows Eve.” The day itself had two meanings. First, it marked the official end of summer and the Celts were honor the sun god for the summer’s harvest. Secondly, the last day of October was believed to also be a day of supernatural forces. It was a day that the spirits of those who died the previous year could transfer into a living person or animal. By transferring into a body for the next year, it was believed that the spirit would then be able to move into the afterlife peacefully.
On “All Hallows Eve,” Celtic houses would be deliberately made cold in order ward off undesired spirits. Additionally to help deter and scare unwanted ghouls, family members dressed as witches, hobgoblins and demons. They would parade inside the home before moving outside. During their parading, it was important to be as noisy as possible and to partake in pranks and trickery. The parade continued through the village until they arrived at a large bonfire created by a Druid priest outside the village. The bonfire honored the sun god for the summer harvest but it was also a means to ward off furtive spirits. If a person was already believed to be possessed, they could be sacrificed as an example to the spirits thinking of possessing human body.
Roman and the Christianity Adaption
As the Roman Empire began to conquer Celtic territory around 43 A.D., they also adopted Celtic Halloween practices. However, they quickly outlawed human sacrificing around 61 A.D. The Romans added two major items to the Halloween celebrations, the first being to honor the passing of the dead. Secondly, they honored Pomona, the goddess of fruit and trees, by incorporating apples as a symbol of the goddess. They would use apples in various forms during their celebration. One activity still practiced today would be the tradition of “bobbing” for apples. Additionally, as time passed the belief in spiritual possession waned. Instead, celebrations still included the parading, costuming and trickery but it was more for amusement than as a method to deter unwanted spirits.
November 1st was eventually assigned as “All Saints Day.” Allegedly, this Christian feast was created to deter people from practicing the pagan traditions of Halloween. Instead the first of November honored every Christian saint, particularly those that do not have their own devoted day. The idea did not fully happen, however over time, many of the traditional deity worship done in the ancient “All Hollows Eve” rituals diminished. In the 9th century, the church tried again to weaken Halloween by establishing “All Souls Day” on November 2nd. “All Souls Day” was a day in which the living would pray for the souls of the dead. Again, the church was powerless in its attempt to create a secular church holiday that would overshadow Halloween.
Halloween comes to America
Halloween was not a popular holiday observed by the early settlers in the United States. The Protestants in the New England area were against it because it was considered a Pagan, Catholic or Episcopalian holiday and not acceptable. It was not until around the 1840s when Irish immigration greatly increased due to those fleeing the Great Famine (potato famine) that Halloween started to spread. Irish immigrants brought with them the Halloween customs of costume and mischief on a larger scale than was previous seen.
At the turn of the century, both children and adults celebrated with Halloween parties focused on games, food and costumes. In the 1920s and 1930s, the holiday became community-centered with parades and large parties. The town of Anoka, Minnesota is believed to be the first town in the country to host a Halloween parade in 1920. In an effort to deter the mischief of the town’s youth, who were known to let the cattle loose and turn over outhouses on Halloween, started this annual tradition. By the 1930s, it was estimated around 20,000 people attended the parades.
As the years passed, Halloween has become increasingly more popular. In the United States, Halloween has moved past its origins as a pagan spiritual festival and into a secular celebration. Commercialization has emphasized costumes, trick-or-treat and food as well as turning it into a holiday children and adults alike.
Sources
Charles Panati, Panati’s Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things, New York: Harper, 1989, 62-63.
Anoka, MN website
Halloween History
History Channel
Photos: 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Here are some photos of how various presidential administrations celebrated Halloween.
Mamie Eisenhower had the State Dining Room decorated with paper Fifties Halloween decorations for a 1956 autumn luncheon.
Caroline and John Jr. visit President Kennedy in the Oval Office on October 31, 1963.
First Daughter Tricia Nixon hosts a Halloween carnival at the White House for Washington-area underprivileged children in 1969.
First lady Betty Ford greets costumed school children from the Washington on Thursday, Oct. 31, 1974, during a Halloween benefit for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund on the White House South Lawn.
President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter stand by as daughter Amy and some of her friends carve pumpkins during Amy’s 10th birthday party Wednesday, Oct. 19, 1977, in the White House in Washington. Amy is seated directly in front of the President.
George and Barbara Bush with daughter-in-law Margaret welcome Halloween guests to their 1989 Halloween lawn party, the President’s grandson is next to the First Lady. They hosted 500 children and loading them up with fun loot but also teaching them about the dangers of drugs. The kids came decked out in costumes; some Secret Service agents came dressed as clowns.
The President and Mrs. Clinton costumed as country-western singers at their 1995 Halloween party for Hillary Clinton’s annual birthday.
President Bush poses with some local children, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2002, who were visiting the White House dressed up for Halloween. Bush was on his way to South Dakota, Indiana, and West Virginia to campaign for local candidates.
A young guest, left, turns to smile when he realized he is getting candy from the President during the 2009 White House Halloween Party. First Lady Michelle Obama, on th left, was dressed as a leopard, with a smear of eyeliner, fuzzy ears and a spotted orange-and-black top.
Photo Sources:
Huffington Post
The White House Blog
The Washington Post
Carl Anthony Online
Wane.com
[Zim's Side Note: I received the following email in regards to the Remembrance Poppy post and Moina Bell Michael, the "Poppy Lady." Thank you again Barbara for sharing such a wonderful story. You can pre-order Barbara's children's picture book over at Amazon. A portion of the book’s proceeds will support the National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple®, which benefits children of the U.S. military.]
Dear Jessica,
I loved your historically accurate article this past Memorial Day, especially your recognition of Moina Belle Michael, a woman who is one of our finest “unsung heroes.”
I first “met” Moina when I was ten-years-old and living in Pennsylvania. For show-and-tell our class was asked to share a memory of a family member who had served during war time. My Dad had a box in the attic labeled, “Pat-World War II, and I found a postcard addressed to my Mom and signed, “Pat’s Poppy Lady.” Attached to the corner of the postcard was a small, red poppy. The kind we would wave on Memorial Day while my Dad, uncles, and soldier buddies marched in the parade.
My Dad met Moina in 1942 when he was studying radio communications at the University of Georgia before heading overseas. He was young and alone and had just found out that his two brothers were missing in action. He and three hundred other signal corps boys were staying in the Georgian Hotel, and Moina lived on a floor above them. One day, while my father was sitting in the hotel lobby, Moina approached him and started a conversation. She asked about his girl back home and listened to worries about his brothers. My Dad will turn 98 this weekend, and he still talks about his “Poppy Lady” and how much he appreciated her kindness.
When I started to write for children Dad asked that I write about Moina. His dream was to let others know the impact she’d had on his life and the lives of his soldier buddies.
His dream will come true this September with the release of my children’s picture book, The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans. My research took years to complete, but I had the pleasure of working with Moina’s two great-nieces and experts from the University of Georgia, Columbia University, the VFW and American Legion Auxiliary, all eager to share Moina’s story with others.
In January, Dad and I were interviewed by a producer from Georgia Public Broadcasting for a special documentary about Moina, and I’d love to share the video with you.
Thank you again for your lovely article.
Warmest Regards,
Barbara Elizabeth Walsh
Family members say goodbye to a child through a fence at the ghetto’s central prison where children, the sick, and the elderly were held before deportation to Chelmno during the “Gehsperre” action [Curfew action]. Lodz, Poland, September 1942. (Beit Lohamei Haghettaot: US Holocaust Memorial Museum)
MATT MCVAY / THE SEATTLE TIMES
One of my favorite pictures is this photo of a young protester carrying a “girls are strong” sign. This photo was taken during an ERA march demanding equal rights for women in Tacoma, WA, 1982. Perhaps I like it because the girl seems to be skipping (or running) with a determined look on her face. With a sign that appears to have been written by her and a shirt stating “The ERA is for my future” she is, in some ways, a symbolic reminder that fighting for civil rights, whether it’s based on gender, sexual orientation or race, is not just for the “here and now” but for the future. And maybe if we settle a few of our differences now, there will be a little less fighting and anger for our children and future children. One can only hope, right?
Bangwell Putt
Clarissa Field of Northfield, Massachusetts, was born blind in 1765. This doll was made for her and she fancifully named it Bangwell Putt. Bangwell lacks facial features but her ten carefully constructed fingers suggest the importance of touch in Clarissa’s world. Bangwell has a homespun body and is dressed in 18th century fashion, including corset. Clarissa kept Bangwell until she died in her eighties. Bangwell Putt is thought to be the oldest surviving rag doll in North America.
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