April Fool´s Day

A DAY TO FOOL YOUR FRIENDS WITH JOKES AND A DAY TO HAVE SOME LIGHT-HEARTED FUN

April Fools' Day is celebrated every year on April 1st by playing practical jokes and spreading hoaxes which are meant to be harmless and funny. Most April Fool’s Day jokes include sending somebody on an errand to find something that doesn’t exist, playing pranks and trying to get somebody to believe something ridiculous that is not true. 

But how did it all begin? There are many theories related to several cultures which have historically celebrated the beginning of longer evenings around the beginning of April. However, this custom is widely believed to have begun in France but it is not known for sure. It may date back from about 1582,  the year France replaced the Julian calendar with the Gregorian which moved new year’s day from the end of March to 1st January. However, those who, due to ignorance or stubborness, still celebrated New Year’s Day on 1st April were mocked and called “April fools” and therefore the tradition of April Fool’s Day began. In England it has been celebrated since the XIXth century. 

In England and the other home nations, this custom only takes place for half the day. It should only last until midday, otherwise the trickster is considered the fool. So if you want to join in on the April fun, don’t oversleep! Depending on where it is celebrated instead of a “fool” you could be called ‘noddy,’ ‘gobby,’ ‘gob’ or ‘noodle.’

In Scotland, April Fool’s Day lasts two days. The first day is celebrated by pranking and hoaxing people, while the second day, known as Tailie Day,  pranks involving the backside are played. That’s where the “kick me” signs are believed to have originated. Here you are not an “April Fool” but an “April Gowk”.

In the United States, April Fools' Day is celebrated all day. friends, family and colleagues will try their best to make you seem gullible. Even the media will try and play a trick on you by claiming fake news. If you deide to travel to New York on that day, watch out! Press releases for the (non-existent) New York City April Fools' Day Parade have been issued every year since 1986.

To conclude, here you are a famous quote written by Mark Twain in Pudd’nhead Wilson and Other Tales:
“April 1. This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four.”