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While April Fool's Day is not an official holiday, it is celebrated by many people, especially the young, in many walks of life. Its start is explained in more than one way. The most popular belief is probably the one where it originated way back sometime in the sixteenth century in France. At that time, the first day of the new calendar year, or, New Year's Day, was celebrated on the twenty-fifth day of March. This date also coincided with the spring equinox. It was not only the beginning of a new year, but it was also the beginning of a new year of life and the renewal of the earth. As it is now, celebrating the New Year in the earlier times meant parties and much revelry. In fact, it was said that the people of France did not stop celebrating the New Year until the first day of April! Instead of just one day of celebrations, they had a whole week to bring in the New Year!
Then, in the year of 1564, the way the people kept track of time was changed. The old calendar was replaced by the Gregorian calendar. The ruler at that time, King Charles the Ninth, made the official proclamation that New Year's Day would now be celebrated on the first day of January instead of at the end of March.
Even though it had been officially changed by the King, some people did not like the new date. In fact, these people resisted it, and they continued to celebrate the New Year on the twenty-fifth of March. The people who abided by the new calendar made fun of the others who refused to. They sent them gag gifts as well as invitations to parties that did not exist. Anyone who became a victim to one of the jokes was called an "April Fish." The reason for this was because the sun was just leaving Pisces, or, the zodiac sing of the fish.
Another explanation of the origin of April Fool's Day stems from the time in the Roman Empire when the Christians took control. They immediately did away with many of the pagan holidays. They abolished the rituals of spring and replaced them with the Easter holiday. Anyone who continued to celebrate the old pagan holidays were looked upon with scorn. They were even laughed at and made to look foolish. Thus, it is said that is how April Fool's Day began.
Now matter how it actually originated, in this day and age, it is a common occurrence for a person to be tricked on the first day of April. An ever-popular trick has been to tell someone that their shoelace is untied. Then, when they look down and see that it is not, you call out "April Fool!" The best jokes and tricks are the ones that are harmless to everyone concerned.
Some modern-day calendars have April Fool's Day marked on the first day of the fourth month, while others omit this unofficial holiday completely.
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