A Brief History of April Fools' Day and Links to Great Jokes Played
The lighthearted day when you are given implied permission to pull practical jokes on others occurs each year on April 1st, otherwise known as April Fools' Day. The history of this time-honored tradition is uncertain, but one theory seems to be that it began around 1582, in France.
King Charles IX reconstructed the calendar at that time and introduced the Gregorian Calendar. Along with this alteration, the first day of the year was changed to January 1st, from the April 1st date that it had previously been.
Many stayed with the April date, however; and those who chose to were called "April Fools" for doing so. The so-called "fools" were then subject to many practical jokes played on them, which became known as "poisson d'avril" (the April Fish).
poisson d'avril card
As years went by, the association with the date continued to include frivolous antics and those traditions spread to other parts of the world.
It is believed that the French and English introduced the tradition to America. It seems that each corner of the world "observes" the day with their own unique flare and there is never a shortage of examples of April Fools' Day jokes played.
- This site keeps a log of successful AFD jokes that will keep you busy checking out for hours.
- As does the Museum of Hoaxes, beginning with the 1957 Swiss Spaghetti Harvest.
Happy April Fools' Day!
Photo by Mykl Roventine
Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 9:43AM
Reader Comments (6)
My father's birthday falls on April Fools Day, and for years, we would play some silly practical joke on him (until he caught on, and was ready for us that is), which we still get a kick out of, and laugh about today. One of my favorite, being the last joke we played on him. After telling him jokes, and calling his bluff started losing it's effect on him, my brother and I found a neat little novelty which would be perfect for our sneaky young ambitions to get my father good, one last time. I can't recall what it "technically" was, but, I remember that it was a small, plastic, battery operated musical device that you would put in the cardboard part of your roll of toilet paper, before putting it on the holder. I remember how difficult it was to keep the device quiet until my dad went to the bathroom, and somehow, we managed to do it. I don't think at any time before this, my mom, brother, and myself actually hung around the bathroom door, listening for my dad's reaction before, but, when we got it, I must say that it was priceless. Just an idea for anyone looking to get that "special someone" on this wonderful April Fools day...or any other day for that matter. :)
Nice, thanks for straightening this out for me...
I thought it was named after the people who first read and believed in the bible. It does occur during holy week...hmm...
;-)
lol...i was ready to stay in my room and hide yesterday...everytime i turned around someone was pranking me and at first i totally forgot what day it was. once i caught on...i caved and just took it all w a smile and much laughter. more great info as always.,
Tiger, it does not occur during Holy Week, Holy Week falls at different times, depending on the length of each preceding holiday season/ seasons of the church year. It just so happens that it lined up with the 1st week of April this year. The 1st of April has absolutely nothing to do with Christianity in any way. I know you were probably trying to see the reactions you'd get but you know.....if that's how you feel then we'll see who has the last laugh in eternity. You all probably thought I wasn't around anymore, but I've been lurking now and then. Don't have much time to get involved in heavy discussions anymore since I am now employed and have other, more important things to work on (like a wonderful relationship) but I do still read these blogs.
Yes, but Aprils Fools WAS during holy week this year. And that's why I posted it. And yes, it was a joke, just like your line about "see who has the last laugh in eternity" is a joke to me and most other rational thinkers out there.
What makes you believe in god or think some invisible thing is talking directly to you? Your brain makes you think those things. So when you die, your brain dies too, which means no eternity. Live your life to the fullest and stop believing in murderous, sexist, invisible things like gawd.
People always ask me to prove there is no god. I can't. But science and rational thought is good enough for me. How about someone prove to me that there is a god. Send him to down to earth right now and tell him to smack me in the face and call me a sinner. Then and only then will I believe. Good luck with that.
Glad you are in a great relationship, but remember, no sex 'til your married! That sucks, huh?
no, it doesn't suck. There is more to life then sex and when I find the man who agrees with me, I will know he is the right person for me.