April Fools' Day: An ancient history

Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - 11:14 YT&Twebzine

It’s that time of year again – April Fools' Day. Prepare for photos of “flying” penguins, maps of fictional islands in the Pacific and reports that NASA has decided to land on the sun at night. (It’s too hot during the day.)

    The first day of April is also known as All Fools’ Day, and in France victims are poisson d’Avril (April fish). There will be videos of students pulling pranks on teachers and teachers pulling pranks on students. This is about tradition, after all. April Fools' Day must be honored.
    Whatever the explanation, April 1 may be an example of a holiday that’s so much fun, if it didn’t exist it would have to be invented. When, exactly, did April Fools' Day begin? It goes back – way back. But no one seems to want to say how far back. The origins are uncertain. Here are a couple possibilities:

Maybe it’s Italian: In Ancient Rome, there was a festival called Hilaria, a “day of merriment” held March 25, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.com. Originally, the day marked the resurrection of Attis, consort of Cybele.

It could be Indian: In this way of thinking, April Fools' Day grew out of Holi, a festival thought to date from several centuries before Christ. This festival originated in India and marks the beginning of spring. Participants toss colorful powders and water upon one another.

Actually, it’s French: Or that's what the French say, anyhow. As they see it, April Fools' Day started in France in 1564. King Charles IX decided to move New Year’s Day from April to January. Those who forgot or didn’t know were on the receiving end of pranks by their fellow Frenchmen. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII changed the calendar for all of Christianity.

Compiled using these sources:

France.fr: The official website of France: Celebrations and Festivals.
Britannica.com articles: April Fools' Day and Hilaria.
Holi Festival.org: History of Holi