Is April 1st your most mischievous day of the year? If so, you're not alone. Get the scoop on the history behind the day of "All Fools".
We've all had an April Fool's joke played on us at one time or another, but did you ever wonder where and when this practice got its start?
The truth is, no one knows for sure. The most common theory dates back to the late 1500's when Pope Gregory XIII ordered the new Gregorian calendar to replace the then widely-used Julian Calendar. Up until then, most of society celebrated New Year's Day on April 1st, following the vernal equinox in March. The new Gregorian calendar marked New Year's Day as January 1st and it was adopted by France in the same year. Unfortunately, word didn't travel as fast back in those days and there were large numbers of people who either hadn't heard about the new calendar system or rebelled against it and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1st. Legend has it that those following the new system made fun of their old-fashioned neighbors and sent them on "fool's errands" in an attempt to poke fun.
Another explanation comes from the Netherlands. In 1572, the Dutch were ruled by King Philip II of Spain but there were rebels known as the Geuzen, meaning beggars. That year, the Geuzen conquered the town of Den Briel (Briel meaning "glasses") and the commander of the Spanish Army, the Duke of Alba, could not prevent the civil revolution that followed. It was on April 1, 1572 that "Alba lost his glasses", a joke that the Dutch continue to celebrate on April 1st.
Ready for theory number 3? Some believe the April Fool's Day actually originated as part of a Celtic festival in honor of Spring. Legend has it that the Druid priests were busy trying to "fool" the evil spirits so they wouldn't interfere with the traditionally accepted mating season.
Yet another theory sprouts from the Hindu festival known as Holi. Celebrating the fertility associated with Spring, the festival lasts five days of the month, ending on - you guessed it - April 1st. As a grand finale to the festival, people were sent on ridiculous errands as part of the fun.
And lastly, the most widely believe theory is that the battle between Mark Antony and Octavian Caesar began on April 1st. Fighting at sea, Cleopatra had promised her army to Antony but then just when the battle began, took her ships and fled the scene, leaving Antony to fend for himself. He followed her out of love, leaving his ships and his men to be quickly defeated.
Okay... no not really. That last one is made up... April Fools! :)
