The Halloween Library

Halloween Celebrations & Posters

12 historic pictures in the Halloween Celebrations & Posters collection, part of Library of Congress. Each one can be ordered as a print or licensed, and the collection is a starting point for telling stories about the past.

Open the interactive board

How Americans have celebrated October 31: parties, parades, roller-skating carnivals and WPA posters.

Jack-o'-lanternJack-o'-lanternThe Widow's MiteThe Widow's Mite (c. 1876)Halloween: three boys carving jack-o'-lanterns on the porch stepsHalloween: three boys carving jack-o'-lanterns on the porch steps (c. 1917)Halloween and the Minnesota snowballHalloween and the Minnesota snowball ([between 1898 and 19)Halloween Roller Skating Carnival: Bring Your SkatesHalloween Roller Skating Carnival: Bring Your Skates (c. 1936)Halloween Roller Skating Carnival On The Mall, Central ParkHalloween Roller Skating Carnival On The Mall, Central Park (c. 1936)Halloween -- Ancient And ModernHalloween -- Ancient And Modern (c. 1909-1910)This is what God gives us: US Food Administration posterThis is what God gives us: US Food Administration posterHalloweenHalloweenDon't Be AfraidDon't Be AfraidMy Halloween Greeting postcard: woman with mirror and candleMy Halloween Greeting postcard: woman with mirror and candleWoman applying vampire makeup to a boy in a capeWoman applying vampire makeup to a boy in a cape