About April Fools Day
also called ALL FOOLS' Day, first day of April, named from the
custom of playing
practical jokes or sending friends on fools' errands on that date.
Although it
has been observed for centuries in several countries, the origin
of the custom
is unknown. It resembles other festivals, such as the Hilaria
of ancient Rome
(March 25) and the Holi festival of India (ending March 31). Its
timing seems
related to the vernal equinox (March 21), when nature "fools"
mankind with sudden
changes in the weather.
On
April Fools' Day all people are given an excuse to play the fool.
In France
the fooled person is called poisson d'avril ("April fish"),
but the origin of
the name is unknown. In April the cuckoo, emblem of simpletons,
comes, so in
Scotland the victim is called gowk (cuckoo). The custom of playing
April Fools'
jokes was taken to America by the British. It has continued to
be observed by
children and adults and sometimes involves rather elaborate hoaxes
as well as
merely simple jokes.
History
of April Fools Day
The origin of this holiday is rather uncertain. However, the common
belief holds that
during the reformation of the calendar the date for the New Year
was moved
from April 1st to January 1st. During that time in history there
was no television
or radio so word spread slowly. There were also those who chose
to simply ignore
the change and those who merely forgot. These people were considered
"fools" and
invitations to non-existent parties and other practical jokes
were played on them.
Día de los Santos Inocentes is held
in Spain on December 28th. This is The Feast of
the Holy Innocents. It's celebrated similarly to April Fools'
Day with practical jokes.
The
first of April, some do say,
Is set apart for All Fools' Day.
But why the people call it so,
Nor I, nor they themselves do know.
But on this day are people sent
On purpose for pure merriment.
-- Poor Robin's Almanac (1790)
Links
April Fools Day ECards:
http://www.postcards.org/postcards/cards/0040
Yahooligans April Fools
Page
http://www.yahooligans.com/docs/club/fool/fools.html
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