It starts in late September. Scarecrows seem to grow overnight on lawns. Houses decorated with pumpkins, corn husks and even lifelike tombstones announce the anticipated arrival of Halloween. It is not limited to America. Halloween is observed in countries across the world.

Some towns celebrate Halloween eve, calling it “Mischief Night,” the night children get away with slathering shaving cream on the neighbors’ car or, before it was outlawed, throwing raw eggs.