![]() In an effort to ration sugar, coupons from the War Ration Books assured a just distribution of the nation’s sugar supply to all, July 1942. With deep cuts to sugar allowances (half a pound a week, 50 percent less than pre-war consumption levels), it came as no surprise that children’s Halloween celebrations had to be adjusted. War Ration Book Number One-nicknamed the “Sugar Book”-was handed out on May 4, 1942. Sugar was the first consumer commodity to be rationed, as one-third of American sugar imports came from the Japanese occupied Philippines. ![]() In an effort to help alleviate hoarding, price hikes-and angry citizens-the Office of Price Administration printed War Ration Books with stamps that were used in exchange for goods. Not only did World War II bring unspeakable death and destruction to the world, it also affected the goods and services available to civilians at home. It took the combined efforts of cartoons, comics and candy manufacturers to resurrect trick-or-treating after World War II and make it what it is today. Almost as quickly as the tradition started, it was nearly derailed. The tradition didn’t make its way to North America until the 1920s and 30s, first taking root in the West. But while trick-or-treating is many children’s favorite pastime, it hasn’t been a pastime for all that long. Today, it’s hard to imagine a Halloween not filled with doorbells, costumes and treats.
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