What is The Day of the Dead?

Día de Muertos (also known as the Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos) is a holiday not only celebrated in Mexico, but the United States as well.

U.S. Cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Albuquerque, San Diego, Fort Lauderdale hold Day of the Dead celebrations.

With the help of the media and movies like Disney’s Coco, we’ve become more familiarized with the traditions of Day of the Dead skeleton decorations and makeup.

Here are 3 misconceptions to be aware of as the holiday becomes more popularized in the United States. 

1. Day of the Dead is not Mexican Halloween. It’s its own holiday, despite its proximity to Halloween and dates back to Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

2. Day of the Dead is not a sad holiday. It’s a day to celebrate those who have departed, mock death, and celebrate life.

3. Day of the Dead should not be feared. It’s a day to show respect to loved ones, reflect about life, and honor one’s dead relatives with gifts or ofrendas.

Read the USA Today article and watch a video. Read more about the holiday.