Isn't it a bummer when holidays fall on a weekday and you have to go to work or send your kids to school the next day?
This year, Halloween happens to be one of those holidays as it takes place on Wednesday, October 31, and some people think that needs to change.
The Halloween & Costume Association has recently launched a campaign, which includes a national petition, to move Halloween to the last Saturday of October.
They cited a number of reasons why this change would be beneficial, and children's safety seems to be the top priority. The organization argues that moving the spookiest day of the year to the weekend will make it easier for parents to supervise their kids, allow for safer trick-or-treating during daylight hours, and the children won't have to worry about going to school tired.
"We feel the change is inevitable and that in the end, the logic behind creating a safer, longer Halloween will prevail," HCA Chairman Kevin Johnson said in a statement.
The association is hoping for at least 10,000 supporters before they present their campaign to the appropriate elected official. So far, many people think that this is "a great idea," and the petition, which hosted on Change.org, has received over 8,500 signatures.
"Halloween Trick or Treating for children would be much safer if celebrated during daylight hours, which can only happen on non school days like Saturday," wrote one supporter.
Another argued that "it makes more sense to have it always on a Saturday so that we don't have to worry about getting the kids home and in bed early for school the next day. Also, for most people, they wouldn't have to worry about working that day or the day following."
"I work in an elementary school and I see how kids are too excited the day of and too tried the day after," wrote one teacher. "Not too much learning happening on these two days when Halloween falls on a weekday [SIC]."
However, not everyone is happy with the HCA's suggestion because it would go against the long-standing tradition of celebrating All Hallows' Eve, which precedes the church's celebration of All Saints' Day on November 1.
Pope Gregory III declared the first day of the 11th month as a day to honor all saints, and since the mid-19th century, Americans have celebrated the dead on the night before. This day later became known as Halloween.
According to the History Channel, Halloween celebrations can be traced back to the Celts, "who "lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France."
Other opponents of the "Saturday Halloween Movement" believe that the group wants the change because of money reasons.
"The ONLY reason they want the date changed is for money reasons. The more people trick or treat, the more costumes sold, the more money in their pocket! Get real!!" one user wrote on the group's Facebook page. Another added, "You clearly do not know the origins of Halloween. This is just to sell more costumes and decorations. Halloween is a religious holiday for some people."
While the petition could incite change, it would take a while before it happens. Halloween is not a federal holiday, and would need to be recognized as such before a new date can come into effect.
Congress would have to pass a law that would make Halloween an official national holiday, and settle on a date. However, with the mid-term elections looming, the HCA and its supporters may have to wait a while.
