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The History Of Halloween Celebrations In America

3268Zauber/Wikimedia

Maybe between answering the doorbell for trick or treaters and helping yourself to the candy, you wonder about the history of Halloween. 

Not the long-ago stuff, the Celtic festival of Samhain and all that... but the way in which we Americans observe October 31st. 

Historian Ben Truwe of Medford has looked at the stuff we bought and used in Halloween celebrations past, and even wrote a book about it.  He visits the studio in costume (as a historian) to share his findings. 

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Geoffrey Riley is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has hosted the Jefferson Exchange on JPR since 2009. He's been a broadcaster in the Rogue Valley for more than 35 years, working in both television and radio.
April Ehrlich is an editor and reporter at Oregon Public Broadcasting. Prior to joining OPB, she was a news host and regional reporter at Jefferson Public Radio.