Throwback To The Year Michigan Banned Halloween

October 31st is one of the most hype days of the year as a kid. Few school days were as hyped as the classroom Halloween party, when every class would parade around the school to show off their costumes. Then you'd eagerly wait until nighttime to go trick-or-treating, hit as many houses as humanly possible, and collect enough candy to last you until next year.

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Those were the days. But if you had to tell your kiddo that Halloween was canceled this year? Would it be worse for the adult ruining Halloween, or for the kid who wouldn't be able to trick or treat that year? Let's go back nearly 100 years to 1942, when Michigan had to cancel Halloween. 

American Halloween Celebrations

How WWII Canceled Halloween

Back in 1942, a little thing called World War II was unfolding, with the world's superpowers embroiled in the deadliest conflict in human history. Much of the US's usual way of life shifted to support the war effort, setting aside many "unnecessary" products and celebrations.

READ MORE: Michigan Residents Are Supporting SNAP Families This Halloween

Halloween overlapped with many aspects affected by the war effort. The US experienced a sugar shortage due to Japanese and German attacks, making sugar the first food rationed in the US. Because candy is made with sugar, it became heavily regulated.

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This, along with public safety concerns, led some Michigan towns to cancel or strongly discourage Halloween festivities. These towns weren't alone; Chicago unanimously voted to "abolish Halloween for the duration" of the war.

People still found their own ways to celebrate in small ways, and many continued to observe Halloween as usual. Still, it was one of the few times Michigan officials had actively discouraged the celebration.

So next time your kiddos ask to go Trick-or-Treat in the snow or rain, just be glad they at least have the option to brave the weather for their treats.