Halloween on October 31 traces back to ancient Celtic festivals, primarily the Gaelic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the start of winter. This festival was celebrated on October 31, as it was believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, allowing spirits to roam the earth. To protect themselves from these spirits, people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward them off.

When Christianity spread to Celtic regions, the church adapted Samhain into a Christian context by establishing All Saints' Day on November 1, also known as All Hallows' Day, with the night before (October 31) becoming All Hallows' Eve—which eventually evolved into Halloween. The church decided to place All Saints' Day near Samhain in the 8th century, aligning Christian celebrations with local traditions. Over time, Halloween combined various customs from different cultures, eventually becoming the modern celebration we know today.

Here’s a ranked list of U.S. presidential candidates from the last 100 years by popular vote totals:

1. Joe Biden (2020) - 81.3 million votes

2. Donald Trump (2020) - 74.2 million votes

3. Barack Obama (2008) - 69.5 million votes

4. Barack Obama (2012) - 65.9 million votes

5. Hillary Clinton (2016) - 65.8 million votes

6. Donald Trump (2016) - 62.9 million votes

7. George W. Bush (2004) - 62 million votes

8. John McCain (2008) - 59.9 million votes

9. Mitt Romney (2012) - 60.9 million votes

10. Al Gore (2000) - 50.9 million votes

In recent U.S. presidential elections, voter turnout among eligible voters has varied. The 2020 election saw one of the highest turnouts in modern history, with about 66.8% of eligible voters participating, spurred partly by expanded mail-in and early voting options due to the pandemic. By comparison, the 2016 election had a slightly lower turnout rate at 60.1% of eligible voters.

Historically, turnout fluctuates; turnout in presidential elections typically ranges from 50% to 70% among eligible voters, depending on factors like voter engagement, election dynamics, and voting accessibility in each election cycle. For example, turnout in the 2008 election, driven by solid enthusiasm, was also high at around 62% of eligible voters.