The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

<p><em>The Legend of Sleepy Hollow</em> is a short story of speculative fiction by American author Washington Irving contained in his collection of 34 essays and short stories entitled <em>The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon Gent.</em>. Written while Irving was living abroad in Birmingham England "<em>The Legend of Sleepy Hollow</em>" was first published in 1820. Along with Irving's companion piece "<em>Rip Van Winkle</em>" "<em>The Legend of Sleepy Hollow</em>" is among the earliest examples of American fiction with enduring popularity especially during Halloween because of a character known as the Headless Horseman believed to be a Hessian soldier who lost his head to a cannonball in battle.  - Source Wikipedia</p>