April Fool’s Day!

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April 1, 2015
___ April Fool’s Day began with a moving of New Year’s Day in France.

More specifically, the New Year’s Day date changed across European cultures, yet April Fool’s Day originates via how the date change was received — or not — in France.

Origin
The Julian Calendar, established by Julius Caesar, named the official New Year’s Day April 1st.

In 1582, Pope Gregory ordered the adoption of his Gregorian Calendar to replace the Julian Calendar. With this, New Year’s Day was changed to January 1st. Back then communication was limited, and spread of word across lands, let alone to every household, could take months to years.

In 1583 folks “in the know” celebrated New Year’s Day on January 1st. Others were oblivious to it, and anticipated an April 1st celebration. Still others who did know, refused the new date and insisted on celebrating April 1st.

In France, those who were astray from the new New Year’s date, whether accidentally or by protest, were deemed “Fools” by the conformers. They were subject to ridicule for “being fooled” by the wrong New Year’s Day date. The first ever “April Fool’s Day” prank was to hook a paper fish on their backs to comedically mark them as poisson d’avril, or “April Fish,” who are easily caught by simple bait.

Folly
The word found way throughout the rest of Europe, whose citizens also were directed to the new New Year’s Day date. According to History.com “This Day in History” April 1st 1700: “On this day in 1700, English pranksters begin popularizing the annual tradition of April Fools’ Day by playing practical jokes on each other.”

Today
April Fool’s pranks seem to carry a “gotcha!” tradition of “you thought it was this — yet it’s not!”

Folks across households play personal pranks. For example (not recommended) spiking hair conditioner with food coloring.

Major companies partake in April Fool’s Day hoaxes. For example, on Monday April 1st 1996 Taco Bell announced purchasing the Liberty Bell and renaming it the “Taco Liberty Bell.” Some folks took the hoax seriously. Others were offended by the joke.

Do you feel vigilant or festive about April 1st being April Fools Day?

This Jacquée T. Writer in Residence featured Word is brought to you by supporting sponsors including Sweet Acres Inn Bed & Breakfast in Eudora Kansas.

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