History of Day of the Dead in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 2, 2025

The Day of the Dead, celebrated primarily on November 1st and 2nd, is a multi-day holiday where families and friends gather to remember and honor deceased loved ones. Celebrations, particularly in Mexico where the holiday largely developed, often involve sharing humorous stories and anecdotes about the departed. While some trace its origins to Indigenous Mexican traditions, others view it as a localized expression of Allhallowtide brought by the Spanish. Regardless of its precise origins, the Day of the Dead is characterized by its festive atmosphere and its role in preserving the memory of ancestors and cultural heritage.

1943: Arrival of American Soldiers and Christmas Tree

In 1943, with the arrival of American soldiers in Sicily, the Christmas tree was introduced, which slowly led to the decline of the tradition where children would receive gifts from the dead on November 2nd.

1946: Rivera Paints Catrina Fresco

In 1946, Mexican Muralist Diego Rivera elaborated on Posada's image of a skeletal figure, Catrina, in a fresco, adding indigenous features to transform her into a nationalist emblem.

1950: Publication of The Labyrinth of Solitude

In 1950, Octavio Paz published his book-length essay "The Labyrinth of Solitude", in which he supported the syncretic view of the Día de Muertos tradition being a continuity of ancient Aztec festivals celebrating death.

The Labyrinth of Solitude

Check it on Amazon

1990: First All Souls' Procession

In 1990, the All Souls' Procession became an annual event in Tucson, Arizona, combining elements of traditional Day of the Dead celebrations with pagan harvest festivals.

2002: First Noche de Altares in Santa Ana

In 2002, the city of Santa Ana, California, began hosting the annual Noche de Altares, which has grown to become the largest such event in Southern California.

2008: UNESCO inscription

In 2008, the Day of the Dead tradition was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, recognizing its cultural significance.

2008: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage listing

In 2008, the Day of the Dead tradition was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. This occurred amidst ongoing debate among Mexican academics regarding the festivity's origins, with some arguing it is a 20th-century rebranding of Spanish tradition.

2011: Jamaica Plain celebration discontinued

In 2011, the Day of the Dead celebration in Jamaica Plain, Boston, sponsored by Forest Hills Educational Trust and La Piñata, was discontinued after years of celebrating the cycle of life and death with music, dance, and offerings for departed loved ones.

November 1, 2015: Event at Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

On November 1, 2015, a Day of the Dead event was held at the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center for the first time, adding to the city's celebrations.

2015: Spectre film release

In 2015, the James Bond film Spectre featured a Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City during its opening sequence, even though no such parade existed at the time.

Loading Video...

October 29, 2016: First Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City

On October 29, 2016, the first official Day of the Dead parade took place in Mexico City, organized by federal and local authorities due to the interest generated by the James Bond film Spectre and a desire to promote Mexican culture. The parade was attended by 250,000 people.