How Halloween took over October
UC professor explains the enduring magic of Halloween
University of Cincinnati history professor Janine Hartman is featured in a Dayton Daily News story examining Halloween’s ancient roots and modern appeal. Hartman, who studies folklore and cultural traditions, explains how the holiday evolved from the Celtic festival of Samhain into today’s vibrant mix of costume parties, community events and candy-fueled fun.
“Halloween seems to unite us, as carnival and familiar, in ways that other events cannot do automatically,” Hartman told the news outlet. She notes that what was once dismissed by some as too pagan is now embraced across generations and faiths, blending spirituality, commerce and creativity into a shared cultural ritual.
From porch skeletons to pet parades, Hartman says Halloween continues to thrive because it offers “a collective moment of joy, imagination and release” — connecting people through playfulness and shared tradition.
Hartman is an often sought out news source on the origins of traditions both cultural and religious.
Read the Dayton Daily News story. The story was also syndicated to the JOURNAL-NEWS.
Hartman has also been cited in the news for her expertise in the area of witches. Read more in The Cincinnati Enquirer: The tale of Ohio's only known witch trial
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next lives here.
Related Stories
New MacArthur 'genius' says she defied caste prejudice thanks to parents
October 2, 2024
UC College of Arts and Sciences professor Shailaja Paik, PhD, discusses her story, life's work and becoming a 2024 MacArthur fellow, one of the most prestigious awards for creative and intellectual achievement — informally known as “the genius grant.”
The burning river that fueled a US green movement
May 5, 2025
An article by the BBC takes the reader back to the late 18th and 19th centuries, when US prosperity was defined by the industrial revolution, a time with little regard for the pollutants that came with industrial expansion. UC's David Stradling, professor of history, cited as expert source in the article.
How Halloween took over October
October 31, 2025
University of Cincinnati history professor Janine Hartman was featured in the Dayton Daily News discussing how Halloween has evolved from ancient Celtic rituals into a modern celebration embraced across cultures. Hartman says the holiday endures because it unites people through creativity, community and shared joy.