Nidhi's Post

April Fools' Day By: Nidhi I hope you all enjoy April Fools Day because it is coming up! I am sure you all like to play tricks on people but have you ever wondered about its history? April Fools Day is known for practical joking and celebrated on the first of April. I never knew but with other customs, there is a time limit; anyone attempting a trick after midday is taunted:"April Fool is gone and past,You're the biggest fool at last". April Fools Day is also called All Fools Day. In France, if a trick is played on you are a Poisson d'avril (April Fish), in England you're a noodle, in Scotland you're an April gowk (cuckoo or fool) and in America you're just an April Fool! The origins of April Fools Day are unknown, although various theories have been proposed. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar (the Gregorian Calendar) to replace the old Julian Calendar. The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated on Jan. 1. France became the first country to switch from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. This switch meant, among other things, that the beginning of the year was moved from the end of March to January 1. Those who failed to keep up with the change, who stubbornly clung to the old calendar system and continued to celebrate the New Year during the week that fell between March 25th and April 1st, had various jokes played on them. For instance, pranksters would secretly stick paper fish to their backs. That is why in France if you fall for a trick you're a Poisson d'avril. Here is another story about April Fools Day. British legends link April Fools Day to the town of Gotham, the legendary town of fools located in Nottinghamshire. According to the legend, it was traditional in the 13th century for any road that the King traveled over to become public property. The citizens of Gotham, not wishing to lose their main road, spread a false story to stop King John from passing through their town. When the King learned of their trickery, he sent a messenger to demand that they explain their actions. But when the messenger arrived in Gotham he found the town was full of insane people who were engaged in foolish activities such as drowning fish or attempting to cage birds in roofless fences (though, of course, their foolery was all an act). The King fell for the ruse and declared the town too foolish to authorize punishment. April Fools Day has supposedly celebrates this tradition. Do you know any other theory of April Fools Day's origin? Or a April Fools Day story? Have a happy April Fools Day! Hope you don't get fooled!