#Halloween culture

[screamingeyepress]

The History of Mischief Night

(AKA The Night Those Little Bastards Messed My Shit Up!)

By Chauncey Haworth

Ahhh Mischief Night, that time of year when the air is filled with the promise of pranks, laughter, and a touch of chaos. It’s a holiday that transcends generations, captivating the hearts of children, teenagers, and some freaky adults. Not sure what Mischief Night is?  Well, let’s explore its origin and evolution.

The Origins of Mischief Night

Over in certain regions of England, the playful antics of Mischief Night didn’t always coincide with Halloween. Instead, they had their roots in the May Day celebrations. However, someone decided it was time to shake things up a bit and move the mischief to a different time of year. Various regions opted for different dates. Some held fast to the classic allure of November 4th, the night before Bonfire Night (AKA Guy Fawkes Night), while others chose to dive into the fun on October 30th, the eve of Halloween. Nowadays, the latter has become the preferred occasion for the revelry.

Mischief in America

Mischief Night as we know it today began to take shape in the United States during the early 20th century. Communities across the country saw an influx of pranks, often involving harmless mischief like toilet papering houses, soaping windows, and egging cars. It was all in good fun, a rite of passage for youngsters to engage in playful tricks, and a time for teenagers to show their rebelliousness.

These pranks typically came with a set of unwritten rules – no permanent damage, no harm to people or animals, and, most importantly, no crossing the line into vandalism or criminal activities. It was a night filled with laughter and a bit of suspense as people wondered what surprises Mischief Night would bring.

Mischief Night soon became an outlet for creativity, as participants dreamed up elaborate pranks that would surprise and amuse their neighbors.

One famous Mischief Night tradition is the “doorbell ditch.” Another tradition is the creation of “dummy” figures, often dressed in old clothes and left sitting on porches or driveways, confusing anyone who stumbles upon them.

The Most Mischiefy of Mischief Nights

During the Great Depression, Detroit was grappling with unemployment and economic hardships. It was in this environment that the tradition of Devil’s Night began. In the 1930s, it was still known as “Mischief Night” or “Hell Night.” As the 1940s rolled in, the world was plunged into World War II. Detroit, known as the “Arsenal of Democracy,” played a pivotal role in the war effort with its booming manufacturing industry. Mischief Night, however, did not go on a hiatus; instead, it took on a more patriotic flavor. The pranks often included collecting scrap metal for the war, reflecting Detroit’s unwavering dedication to the cause.

The post-war years, particularly the late 1940s, marked the beginning of a shift in Devil’s Night. As the city’s population continued to grow, so did the magnitude of the pranks. What once were harmless antics evolved into acts of vandalism and arson.

By the 1970s, mischief and mayhem escalated to jaw-dropping levels, creating a spectacle of destruction that left hundreds of homes and structures engulfed in flames or defaced by vandals year after year. The economic challenges that Detroit faced in the tumultuous 1970s and 1980s significantly contributed to the city’s declining population and the widespread decay of its buildings. The result was a perfect storm of abandonment and dilapidation, intensifying the impact of the devastation on the city’s landscape.The peak of chaos arrived in the 1980s, with a staggering 800 fires set ablaze in 1984 alone, and the numbers consistently reaching the three-digit mark annually until 2011.

Mischief Night Today

Over the years, Mischief Night has evolved into a night of mixed emotions. While many communities still celebrate it with good-natured pranks, others have seen an increase in destructive behavior. Vandalism, property damage, and dangerous pranks have, in some areas, overshadowed the original spirit of the holiday.

In response to these negative aspects, communities have taken measures to curb the destructive behavior. Increased policing, neighborhood watch groups, and public awareness campaigns have aimed to preserve the harmless, mischievous spirit of the holiday while discouraging harmful actions. In Detroit specifically they have attempted to rebrand the night as “Angel’s Night,” where tens of thousands of volunteers patrol neighborhoods.

Mischief Night still exists in its purest form in many communities, where children and teenagers engage in harmless pranks, create joy, and strengthen bonds with their neighbors. However, in some areas, it has taken a darker turn, requiring increased vigilance from law enforcement and concerned citizens.

Mischief Night has also found a place in pop culture, often depicted in movies and television shows as a night of excitement and hilarity. Its influence can be seen in the misadventures of beloved characters who embark on their own Mischief Night journeys.

Are You Gonna Lock Your Doors This Mischief Night

Mischief Night continues to captivate the hearts of people of all ages, myself included. Back in my home town we used to put on vinyl nights where people would bring their own records to a bar and play them on our record players. Every October 30th was specifically Devil’s Night, which was basically just another vinyl night but you had to come dressed in red. Do you have any memorable Mischief Night experiences?

[melomancy]

Kate Bush as the Sound Monster in Experiment IV (1986)

[icryink]

WELCOME TO CRINGETOBER 2024

As promised, the list is here one month in advance to allow for preparation time! Just like last time, there are no hard rules. Just a fun exercise to draw things considered “cringe” by popular culture! No stress needed :)

I go more in depth on the list here, so check that out! of course, feel free to send asks my way if any questions remain <3

I’m really proud of this year’s list, honestly. And I’m incredibly excited for October! I hope everyone has fun!!

[egophiliac]

everyone out of the way, this is the only thing I'm going to be thinking about from now on.

(okay, there is one more thing)

[cthulhu-nymphos]

Die-cut cover art for My Sweet Audrina by V.C. Andrews

[longreads]

In today's new Longreads essay, Elizabeth Friend examines the vanishing hitchhiker tale, and one spooky North Carolina story in particular: the tale of a young woman named Lydia. 

There are countless variations on Lydia’s story. Sometimes her dress is a specific color. Sometimes a different family member opens the door. Sometimes the young man drapes his jacket over the girl’s shoulders, only to find it later on her grave.

Elizabeth explores how folklore passed down over generations reveals our anxieties during times of change. The ghost story of Lydia reflects the shifting expectations of American women in the first half of the 20th century. 

Read “The Lessons of Lore” on Longreads.

[kayberrie]

broke: Ahsoka and Rex swap outfits and it’s horribly obvious plus fits badly

woke: Ahsoka and Rex swap outfits and look absolutely amazing in their new fits

[o-sunny-day]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN GANG 😭 @forgettable-au gang! Dress up for work day ✨✨ featuring Mew Mew Kissy Cutie and 2 boring skeletons

sketchy cause MY HAND DISAGREES WITH MY DESIRES ough I wanna draw good so bad why is it like this

[dailyhatsune]

that hair is a fire hazard

[bebs-art-gallery]

The Sighting of the Mothman in the Foothills of Appalachia — Artwork by Brian Serway

[liberaljane]

We shouldn't have to dress modesty to be respected.

digital illustration of a fat witch sitting on a beach towel. She's wearing a bikini top, short jean shorts, a witch hat and fishnet socks. On the towel is a cat, sunscreen & docs. Text reads, 'we shouldn't have to be modest to be respected'

[todayinhiphophistory]

Today in Hip Hop History:

Outkast released their fourth album Stankonia October 31, 2000

[melomancy]

Kate Bush on the set of The Line, The Cross, and The Curve (1993)

[rabbits-of-negative-euphoria]

you open yourself up to the devil by celebrating Halloween in the same way you open yourself up to the devil by celebrating St. Paddy's or Mardi Gras.

if you play ouija or try voodoo, you open yourself up to the devil. if you dress in a slutty costume or take psychedelics in a cemetery, you open yourself up to the devil.

likewise, if you get wasted on Guinness in downtown Savannah, you open yourself up to the devil.

if you twerk half-naked for plastic beads on Bourbon Street, you open yourself up to the devil.

these kinds of bacchanalia are by no means inherent to the holidays in question, and in fact, are extremely recent perversions of traditions which go back centuries. Centuries of Christian history.

[stagefoureddiediaz]

The way I would pay good money to have Eddie celebrating dia de los muertos rather than Halloween especially with an episode called masks and the symbolism of the sugar mask around regeneration and rebirth

[folianguyen]

Rainbow diaphonization python