It may seem odd to celebrate death—after all, it"s the end of our personal era. But tell that to people who celebrate the Day of the Dead, or el Día de los Muertos, and they"ll smile. They may explain that death is part of the circle of life, and as natural as any other human milestone. As our photo shows, the Day of the Dead is a big holiday in Mexico, where calacas—skeleton figures of musicians, workers, and other folks in merry scenes of everyday "life"—lurk everywhere for weeks before the main event. Of course, living people also play dead for the day, donning skeleton outfits, masks, and grotesque makeup. Music, processions, and food add to the quirky, fun carnival atmosphere.
Día de los Muertos celebrations in Mexico
Today in History
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Gateway to America
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National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
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In the Highlands for Saint Andrew s Day
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In praise of the pipes
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Take the Stairs Day
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Mid-Autumn Festival
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Darwin Day
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A bite of ancient history
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Hiking the High Trestle Trail
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Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
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Field of Light at Sensorio by Bruce Munro
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Celebrating sea otters
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Skógafoss waterfall, Iceland
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Birch trees, Drammen, Norway
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A valley view at 9,000 feet
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Ronda, Spain
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A light on National Hispanic Heritage Month
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The persistence of Perito Moreno
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Here we honor the women who ve served
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Vacuum Chamber 5 at Glenn Research Center
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Ocean City, Maryland, at sunrise
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International Surfing Day
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Rising up from the black sand like rock gods
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A predator at risk
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Darwin Day
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Summer winds down in the Southern Hemisphere
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Is that a smile?
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The puffin-rabbit connection
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Midwinter freeze
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Young black caiman, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

