Heroic Americans petition to make Halloween a federal holiday


Halloween may be a holiday meant for children, but it's beloved by the young (and slutty) at heart the country over.
Now, more than 2,000 Americans are pushing for that sugar-high infused night to become a federal holiday — and it's probably not even a thinly veiled marking ploy on behalf of the candy companies. The author of the petition argues the 31st of October should be honored because it emphasizes America's melting pot heritage of hospitality.
"It is a special time when Americans open their homes and hearts and give freely to each other regardless of color, creed, gender association, sexual orientation or religious affiliation."
It's a hard sell, even for this sentimental reporter. But, if you feel strongly, you can add to the dim chorus. The petition still needs 97,941 signatures by October 27 to get a response from the White House.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Otherwise, it will join the federal holiday petition graveyard already littered with the likes of Jerry Garcia Day, the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team vs. Germany World Cup Day, the Edward Snowden, National Whistleblower - Patriots Against Government Corruption Day, and the National Haunted House Day — a petition that is technically still open until November 6, but doesn't have a pretty blonde's chance in slasher films of making it to the end. --Lauren Hansen
(Photo courtesy Yandy.com)
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.
-
Sodium batteries could make electric flight viable
Under the Radar Low-cost fuel cell has higher energy density and produces chemical by-product that could absorb CO2 from the atmosphere
-
Flying into danger
Feature America's air traffic control system is in crisis. Can it be fixed?
-
Pocket change: The demise of the penny
Feature The penny is being phased out as the Treasury plans to halt production by 2026
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read