Fact & Fable

People wear costumes on Halloween because the holiday brought together traditions of disguise, visiting, entertainment, and make-believe. Masks could turn familiar neighbors into mysterious visitors, while later parties and commercial costumes widened the choice of characters. The modern American custom has several historical layers. A ghost, a superhero, and a homemade animal outfit can all belong to the same celebration because dressing up became a tradition in its own right, beyond any single belief about spirits. Halloween's setting helps explain its ghostly wardrobe. The National Museum of Ireland describes Samhain as marking the first day of winter on November 1, with much of the celebration taking place the previous evening. Traditions included feasting, games, and expectations that the dead might return. The name Halloween also connects to the eve of the Christian Feast of All Saints. Seasonal customs and religious observances provide the background for a night associate...

Native American Heritage Month took its modern form in 1990, when President George H. W. Bush approved a congressional resolution designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month for that year. It grew from much older efforts to recognize Native peoples and their contributions. The National Archives explains that later presidential proclamations have used several versions of the name. The observance is a recurring invitation to learn about Native history, achievements, and living communities, rather than the anniversary of one ancient event. The movement began long before a full month appeared on the national calendar. Indian Affairs identifies Arthur Caswell Parker, a Cattaraugus Seneca historian and museum director, as an early advocate for a day honoring American Indians. He persuaded the Boy Scouts to recognize a day for the First Americans from 1912 to 1915. In 1915, Arapaho minister Sherman Coolidge also called for an American Indian Day. These efforts show that Na...