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Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) recognizes the contributions made and the important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate their heritage and culture.

Día de Los Muertos Festival @ Phoenix, AZ

Dia de Los Muertos is a highly celebrated and significant family holiday throughout Mexico, Latin America and the Southwest. Dating back 3,000 years to the time of the Olmecs, it is a day when homage is paid to our ancestors with prayers, offerings of food, and the building of altars to the beloved departed. Each region has its unique style of celebration. In Arizona, the annual Dia de Los Muertos is a Celebration of Life.
 

Day of the Dead Celebration (Celebracion Dia de los Muertos) | Muy Bueno

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Day of the Dead
Smithsonian Institution

 

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    LVM Chequea Esto Dia de los Muertos

    Macuilxochitzin, Aztec Poet an

  • © Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum

 

Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a day of celebration for the people of Latin America, particularly in Mexico and Central America, and more recently for Mexican Americans. Rather than grieve over the loss of a beloved family or friend, they choose to commemorate the lives of the dearly departed and welcome the return of their spirits. The history of Day of the Dead is embedded with Pre-Hispanic and Spanish customs. These customs shaped the common elements of traditional Mexican Dia de Los Muertos. Today, Day of the Dead has been increasingly popular with Latinos in the United States. Though many of the traditional elements have remained how and where Day of the Dead is celebrated has changed.

Día de los Muertos Family Zone - SAAM

Day of the Dead - National Museum of the American Indian