Ghosts: Fact or Fiction?
You’ve probably seen ghosts in movies and stories, but some people claim to have seen them in real life. Around 1.6 million kids and 1.6 million adults dress up as ghosts every year! When you think of ghosts, you probably think of Halloween — and both kids and adults have been dressing up as ghosts for over 2,000 years.
The tradition started with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people wore costumes to ward off spirits. By the 1500s, dressing up as ghosts, devils, and witches became a custom, with disguises made at home. The simple bedsheet ghost we know today evolved later, around the 19th century, influenced by theater and burial practices.
Famous Ghost Sightings
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The Enfield Poltergeist (1970s): A family in Enfield, England, reported poltergeist activity, including furniture being thrown, a teenage daughter levitating, and strange voices. While some claim it was a hoax, many witnesses and paranormal experts corroborated the events.
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The Brown Lady (1936): A photograph taken at Raynham Hall in Norfolk, England, is considered by many to be photographic proof of a ghost. The figure, known as the “Brown Lady,” is believed to be the ghost of Lady Townshend.
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Abraham Lincoln’s Ghost: The ghost of Abraham Lincoln is reportedly seen frequently at the White House, appearing to guests and staff.
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The Cecil Hotel: Guests and staff have reported seeing a pale woman in a window, strange lights, moving objects, and even a shadow resembling someone hanging. The hotel has a dark history, including numerous deaths, murders, suicides, and the infamous Elisa Lam case.
EMS Students Weigh In
We asked students at EMS whether they believe in ghosts. Here’s what they said:
William Sauder: “No, because I don’t believe in superstition.”
Luke Casey: “No, because I’ve never seen one.”
Brady Leman: “No, they are not real.”
Rome Leman: “To be honest, I don’t know. I see all the stories of ghosts, but I don’t think I believe them.”
Elsie Cearlock: “No, ’cause they’re not real and it’s a stupid superstition.”
Nella Stoller: “No, ’cause it’s made up and stupid, like a superstition.”
From these responses, it seems that students at EMS are mostly skeptical about ghosts, even though ghost stories have fascinated people for centuries.
