The mystery of arising April Fools’ day

The question of when April Fools’ Day began is masked in mystery, but the most common theory about its source involves the Gregorian calendar reform of the late sixteenth century. According to this theory observance of the April Fools’ day began in 1582, when in Europe, France became the first country to jump from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, as per directive of the pope. This change meant that the beginning of the year was moved from the end of March to January. During the confusion of the year change, those who persisted in celebrating the New Year in April had various jokes played on them. As for example, pranksters would surreptitiously stick paper fish to their backs & mock them with the name “Poison d’Avril,” or April Fish. Thus, in this way, April Fools’ Day was born.

The date-change hypothesis might provide a reason why 1, April specifically became the date of the modern holiday, but it is understood that the idea of a springtime festival honoring pranks & mayhem got far ancient roots. For instance, a rival French tale links spring prank-playing & the origin of the term “poison d’arvil” to the abundance of fish found in rivers during early April. These newly hatched fish were made fool & caught with a hook & lure. Therefore, in France, people called them “poison d’arvil” & celebrate this season of easy fishing by playing pranks on each other. Still in France it is a custom to celebrate April Fools’ Day by eating chocolate fish. But even as far back as Roman times celebrations such as Hilaria honored spring mischief, while farther afield in India revelers observed Holi, the festival with color. In northern Europe the festival of Lud, a Celtic god of humor, provided an excuse for merrymaking is same kind of festival.