A haunted history of fire, fear, and community resilience
Many people associate October with classic fall traditions such as visiting pumpkin patches, picking apples, enjoying cider and donuts, or preparing for Halloween. These American family customs trace back more than 200 years, with roots in Scottish and Irish immigrant culture.
But the history of Halloween also includes a lesser-known tradition unique to Metro Detroit: Devil’s Night. Observed every October 30, the night before Halloween is infamous for its chaos. It even inspired the comic book that became the feature film The Crow.
Devil’s Night originated from “Mischief Night” in Europe, particularly in Great Britain, where young people would play harmless pranks and indulge in lighthearted mischief. So how did this playful tradition evolve into one of the darker chapters of Detroit’s history?…