How did April Fools' Day originate?
Apparently, you aren't the first to ponder the origins of April Fools'. While researching this question, stumbled across this poem:
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)
It's an apt sign of the ambiguity surrounding the holiday. Anyway, the story goes like this -
Up until the mid-sixteenth century, France celebrated the new year on April 1. But in 1562, Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new calendar to the Christian world, which changed the date of the new year to January 1.
Of course, they didn't have email back then, so word traveled slowly and some people continued to celebrate on April 1. These poor, misinformed souls were referred to as "April Fools" and had tricks played on them.
Whatever the specifics, we have to agree with Mark Twain, who said, "The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year."
Cheers!
vasan
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