What Are The Similarities Between Hispanic Holidays And The United States

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Throughout history, the greatest conflicts between cultures are the result of a lack of understanding. Hispanics countries and the United States have different languages, customs, and beliefs that they think makes them completely different from one another. If people would concentrate on the cultural similarities instead of the differences, they would see how similar these two separate cultures are. For example, there are shocking similarities between Hispanic holidays and the United States holidays. Though there are distinct differences between Hispanic holidays and the United States holidays, many of these holidays come from similar ideas. Two very similar holidays are Christmas and Navidad. Christmas is one of the most well-known holidays …show more content…

Halloween in the United States is celebrated with children dressing up and asking for candy, often by threatening minor pranks. Symbols of Halloween include pumpkins, ghosts, vampires, and mummies. Halloween was originally used to ward off evil spirits. The name Halloween is derived from the name All Hallow’s Eve, because it was the day before All Saints’ Day. Halloween is celebrated on October 31. However, Dia de los Muertos, or called Day of the Dead, is celebrated from November 1 to November 2. Dia de los Muertos is a celebration where people honor the dead with festivals and parades. Dia de los Muertos recognizes death as a normal part of the human experience and is a time for people to celebrate their memories with deceased family members. “Dia de los Muertos is more of a celebration than a depressing day where you celebrate passed family members. Death is not the end, but the beginning of another phase of life” (Rodriguez). At midnight on October 31, people believe that the gate from heaven is opened and decreased children are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. “It’s based on the belief that there is interaction between the living world and the world of spirits. On the Día de los Muertos, the spirits of the dead are said to come back for family reunions” (Major Holidays). On November 2, people believe decreased adults arise to enjoy the festivals and altars others have prepared for them. Symbols of Dia de los Muertos include skulls and masks called calacas. Both holidays have to do with spirits and for people to have an enjoyable time with family

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