This was first posted on April 1, 2013, but it is just as relevant today even though it is April 3.
What is the origin of April Fools Day?
No one knows for sure, but it is speculated that it came about when the French calendar was reformed in the sixteenth century, moving the start of the year from March to January 1. (I blogged about calendar changes just this past January)
Some people who clung to the old calendar and continued to celebrate the New Year from March 25 to April 1, had tricks played on them. The pranksters would stick paper fish on their backs. Thus they were called Poisson d’Avril, ‘April Fish,’ the name the French call April Fools even today.
April fools jokes have continued through the years. Near “ou r” time period a clever one was pulled off.
In 1860 a postcard was sent to several people admitting two to the Tower of London to view the annual ceremony of washing the White Lions on April 1. The invitees were instructed that they would be admitted only at the White Gate.
On April 1, several cabs were driving around Tower Hill looking for the White Gate—which, of course, didn’t exist.
April Fool!!
What was the best April Fools joke you played on someone or one someone played on you?
Love this, Diane! And love the flower fish illustration. So fun!! I’ve never been a fan of practical jokes, but I did once convince someone gullible that people from northern India were blonde-haired, just like people from northern Italy…..LOL! (I did confess it wasn’t true later on –I didn’t want her to believe it forever!!)