April Fools’ Day, also known as All Fool’s Day, seems to be one of general amusement and mystery.There are many theories as to April Fools’ Day origin, but it appears that there is no deciding fact on the matter.
Here are some snippets of April Fools’ Day history that I found:
Theories on the Origin of April Fools Day:
Calendar Change Theory – It is said on museumofhoaxes.com that once the Gregorian calendar changed the beginning of the New Year from April to January the news didn’t travel to all parts of Europe very quickly. Therefore anyone who hadn’t heard of the change, or those who chose to continue celebrating the New Year in April, were called Fools.
Biblical (Noah’s Mistake) –Noah has been said to demand the first “fools errand.” He sent out a dove to look for land before the floods had receded.
Roman Mythology (the God of the Dead and Proserpina) – Proserpina was taken by the God of the Dead to the Underworld. Proserpina called out to her mother Ceres who was the goddess of grain and harvest, but she couldn’t find her. Said to be the Roman inspiration for “a fools errand.”
British Folklore (The Town of Gotham) – In old Britain, a king had the ability to set foot on land thereby claiming it as his own. When a small town heard of his plans to pass through, they prearranged to act ridiculous so the King would want nothing to do with the territory anyway. It worked. The day the King came to pass through, he saw their foolishness and decided against it. Their victory was celebrated from then on.
Medieval Roots (Festus Fatuorum) – Festus Fatuorum translates to the Feast of Fools and was said to have been observed by mocking the church and the Pope.
According to inglewoodcarecentre.com/history, annual celebrations of misrule and mayhem, such as April Fool’s Day, help to reaffirm public values. “
“They give people a chance to vent their social antagonisms in a harmless way. In addition, they give people a chance to temporarily step outside of accepted rules of behavior. People can then choose either to voluntarily return to a state of order, thereby reaffirming society’s values, or to remain in a state of anarchy. Inevitably, they choose order. This mirrors the larger change that is simultaneously occurring in the natural world with the changing of the seasons.”
Celebrating Around the World:
Scotland – Often referred to as Taily Day; most of their jokes deal with the buttocks.
England – Jokes are only played in the morning for it has been said to be bad luck to pull pranks after noon.
Rome – Referred to as the Roman Laughing Day to remember the resurrection of the god Attis.
Portugal – Celebrated on the Sunday and Monday before lent, observers through flower at their friends.
India – Known as Holi, the holiday is celebrated over two days. The first evening there is a large bonfire. The second night people from all sects, ages, religions and sexes gather in the streets and throw colored sand at each other.
France – Paper fish are taped on the backs of children as a prank. Once the child has discovered the fish they yell out “Poisson d’Avril.” Today, designer shirts are made with the fish already on!
America – There are common pranks such as gluing coins to a floor, setting a whoopee cushion on a chair, some as extreme as sewing clothes together! What about an April Fool’s Day eCard? It’s a sure way to induce a laugh without a mean spirit.
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