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Don’t Be No Fool!
Did you know a number of ancient cultures, including those of the Romans and Hindus, celebrated New Year’s Day on or around 1st April? This was because it closely followed the spring equinox and, as the season of new beginnings, it made sense to have this as the start of the year. Interestingly enough, right up until medieval times, much of Europe also celebrated late March as the beginning of the new year.
In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar, the Gregorian calendar, also known as the Western or Christian calendar (internationally, the most widely used civil calendar i.e. the one we’re all now using!) to replace the old version. That year, France adopted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year’s Day to 1st January.
According to popular explanation, many people refused to believe or accept the new date (understandably so – just think how you’d react if this were to happen today!??!) and so continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on 1st April. Advocates of the new practice would make fun of the traditionalists, sending them on ‘fool’s errands’ or playing tricks on them into believing something was false or was, once again, about to change.
Eventually, the practice of making other people look stupid with practical jokes spread throughout Europe and the rest, as they say, is history……..throughout the world, we have April Fool’s or All Fool’s Day taking place today: it’s 1st April, so watch out for those mischievous mates – anything could happen!!