The A to Z Challenge asks bloggers to post 26 posts, one for each letter of the English alphabet, in April. Most of us choose to make these posts on a particular theme. My theme for 2023 is 1943 Washington D.C., the setting of the novel that I’m writing. Visit daily in April for a new post on my topic.

H is for Halloween

“Don’t waste food” was a big message for people on the home front.

The War Food Administration provided a tip for how to have your jack-o’-lantern and eat it, too. Cut it out as usual and insert your candle, but don’t put the top on. That will allow the smoke to escape rather than burn the edible pumpkin. The next day, make a pumpkin pie from the remains.

General Research Division, The New York Public Library. (1943-11-06). Front cover 

In October 1943, you could buy canned pumpkin in Washington D.C. for 16 cents, but it will take 21 of your precious war ration points.

If you lived in D.C. or anywhere on the East Coast, you might need some luck to find a pumpkin for your jack-o-lantern. There was a drought in the Midwest in the summer of 1943, where most of the country’s pumpkins were produced. Fewer pumpkins meant that not many were being shipped out of the Midwest region. In fact, some farmers were using their pumpkins for cattle feed.

By, W. W. (1943, Oct 26). Halloween lantern pumpkin must be eaten after the fun. The Washington Post (1923-1954) Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/halloween-lantern-pumpkin-must-be-eaten-after-fun/docview/151657598/se-2