Spanish Language and Culture 10-3Y

Culture Review

Cultural celebrations and holidays make countries unique and represent the diversity and traditions of their people.

Certain holidays are similar in many countries around the world, and people celebrate them the same month and day of the year such as Día de la Madre and Día del Padre. Other holidays are celebrated on different dates of the year by each country. For example, Canada Day is the 1^st of July, but in Cuba it is on October 10^th, and in Mexico it is on September 16^th.

In Canada and in Hispanic countries, people celebrate Independence Day in similar ways with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, and political ceremonies.

Take a look at the chart to learn more about similarities and differences of holidays and cultural celebrations in US and Latin America.

Celebration	Latin America	Canada	How do people celebrate this Holiday or Tradition?
Día de la Independencia	Cuba: October 10 México: September 16 Argentina: July 9	July 1	Latin America and Canada: Huge firework performances, public concerts, political speeches, carnivals, fireworks in yards and streets etc.
Día de Acción de Gracias		The third Monday in October.	Canada: Families reunite to have a dinner with turkey and to express gratitude.
Quinceañero	Many countries in Latin America. Date of 15th birthday		Latin America: On their 15^th birthday, Hispanic teenage girls go to church for a special mass ceremony, and celebrate with a party surrounded by family and friends. They usually wear a long, white dress and a tiara.
Sweet Sixteen		Date of 16^th birthday	United States: When teenage girls turn 16 years old, they have a big party with friends and family. Canada: What is celebrated here? Is it only for girls?
Día de los muertos	México, Guatemala, Ecuador: November		Latin America: Families and friends meet to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. They clean and decorate the grave sites, make altars with photos and favourite things of the person who has died.
Día de Reyes	Many Latin American countries and Spain January 6		Latin America and Spain: Children receive gifts from the three kings: Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltazar. Families celebrate in parties with traditional food and music to commemorate the last day of the Christmas season.