April Fools' Day

April Fools' Day

Pranking Fun It's early spring. Your chili ends up buried under a pile of salt. You've been the victim of an April Fools' joke. April Fools' Day is celebrated on or around the first day of April every year. It's one day of the year when it's okay to play jokes, or pranks, on people.

Popular pranks might be to put grease on a doorknob or swap the sugar for salt. You might get friends to do something silly, like try to buy plaid paint. When they realize it's a joke, it's traditional to shout “ April Fools'! "

Why April First? No one knows why April Fools' Day is on April 1. The holiday may have originally had to do with welcoming spring. Many were often “ fooled" by the changing weather at this time of the year. Another idea is that April Fools' Day began in the 1500s when the calendar we use today was introduced. The start of the new year was moved from the beginning of April to January 1. People who still celebrated New Year's Day on the first of April were called “ April fools. "

Many cultures in the past held celebrations near April 1. The ancient Romans celebrated the longer days of spring. They dressed in costumes and played games and jokes. At the end of the twelfth century, people celebrated the Feast of Fools in parts of Europe. People chose a false ruler to lead the celebrations. The followers joined in the fun by dressing in disguise. People celebrated in this way until the sixteenth century.

Around the World Today, people celebrate April Fools'Day differently around the world. Scottish Scramble Some people in parts of the United Kingdom believe that the fun must stop by noon. In Scotland, however, April Fools' can go on for two days. On April 1, some people send friends on foolish errands. The second day is for playing more jokes.