Halloween history: Sherman offers insight for NBC 26

Associate Prof. Heidi Sherman lent her expertise Friday (Oct. 31) to a fun NBC 26 story on the history of Halloween. The roots of the holiday date back to the mid-19th century and a Celtic fall festival, Sherman said. People dressed in costume to ward off bad spirits and protect their homes for winter. “The costuming would be about tricking malevolent spirits that maybe this particular place is already occupied,” Sherman said. Video for the story is not available online, but you can check out a text version of the story.