The Origin of April Fools Day
The origin of April Fool's Day seems to be a bit of a mystery. The Encyclopedia Britannica states "that 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.
While I found that explanation plausible, I also found it to be a bit dull. I continued my search and found the most interesting and/or convincing explanation at about.com - see article in it's entirety below.
"In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new and improved calendar for the Christian world, and in this calendar (now called the "Gregorian Calendar") the beginning of the new year was changed and was now declared to fall on January 1. Ten days were deleted from the calendar, so that October 4, 1582 was followed by October 15, 1582. This change caused the vernal equinox (the first day of Spring) of 1583, and all subsequent years, to occur about March 21. Some years, such as the year 2000, the first day of Spring occurs on March 20.
In France -The story goes that when the Gregorian calendar was later adopted in France, King Charles IX declared to his subjects that New Year's Day celebrations must be moved to January 1. When that happened, there were some folks who apparently either hadn't heard word of the calendar change or who had decided to stubbornly "stick to their guns" and defy the king's edict - and, thus, they continued celebrating New Year's Day on April 1. These people, continuing to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1, were given the moniker of being "April fools." The Western world tradition of sending folks out on a "fool's errand" then began with a vengeance.
Today, in France, April 1 is called "Poisson d'Avril." The tradition is that French children fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends' backs. When the "April fool" discovers this trick, the trickster yells "Poisson d’Avril!" (meaning: April Fish!) The origin of the "fish tradition" is considered to be unknown.
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 brought 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."
Below is a poem that aptly relates the ambiguity (and the non-origin?) of the day. Perhaps we're simply supposed to have fun with it. Enjoy!
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)
--Deanna Bommarito, BA, CADC-I, BCBC
Deanna is a Case/Program Manager at the Rose for Women a highly effective treatment center for addiction that includes dual diagnosis treatment for women. Deanna earned her BA in Psychology from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA and her Chemical Dependency Counseling Credentials at ICDS (Institute for Chemical Dependency Studies). Deanna has 10 years in recovery and is blessed to be married to her husband, Joe, her favorite person on the planet. Together they are raising three children, ages 14-21 and a Chihuahua, who keep them very busy when they’re not working or serving in ministry.
Deanna’s passion is to serve God by serving His children for His glory. Deanna is also involved in the Southern California Celebrate Recovery Program which is also integrated into Sober Living by the Sea's Christian Drug Rehab track.
