History of April Fool's Day....

Happy April Fool's Day sa lahat....! Kahapon ko pa sana pinublish ang entry na to kaya lang ay na distract ako nung issues dun sa last entry ko kaya hindi ko nagawang i-post to kaagad....!

Anyways, better late than never.... Normally we start the day here by giving a friend a punch on the arm first before he realise that it's April Fool's Day that day pala.... It's not like i will punch someone then he will punch me back and vice versa kasi bugbugan ang ending nun....! Kunting dampi lang.... Not too hard kung baga....

Actually, April Fool's Day is a day of playing tricks or maybe outsmarting someone with some clever antics.... You don't really have to hurt somebody but nowaday type of jokes are sometimes can get too harsh if not being observed properly....

Last friday's party, two of my workmates already had a taste of this April Fool's harshness when they drank some soy sauce served in shot glasses thinking that those were shots of rum ha-ha....!

Anyways, the day is almost over and if until now nothing had happen to you yet ay SAFE ka na pare ko....! I just wanna share to all this history of the April Fool's Day that i was reading this morning.... So sit back, relax and open your eyes wider.... This is highly educational stuff....! Pay attention kids....! 8D

The history of April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day is uncertain. Current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (new year's week) to January 1.

Communication traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Still others, who were more rebellious refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1. These people were labeled "fools" by the general populace, were subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other practical jokes played upon them. The butts of these pranks became known as a "poisson d'avril" or "April fish" because a young naive fish is easily caught. In addition, one common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone as a joke.

This harassment evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continue on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread elsewhere like to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. Because of this spread to other countries, April Fool's Day has taken on an international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own way.

In Scotland, for instance, April Fool's Day is devoted to spoofs involving the buttocks and as such is called Taily Day. The butts of these jokes are known as April 'Gowk', another name for cuckoo bird. The origins of the "Kick Me" sign can be traced back to the Scottish observance.

In England, jokes are played only in the morning. Fools are called 'gobs' or 'gobby' and the victim of a joke is called a 'noodle.' It was considered back luck to play a practical joke on someone after noon.

In Rome, the holiday is known as Festival of Hilaria, celebrating the resurrection of the god Attis, is on March 25 and is also referred to as "Roman Laughing Day."

In Portugal, April Fool's Day falls on the Sunday and Monday before lent. In this celebration, many people throw flour at their friends.

The Huli Festival is celebrated on March 31 in India. People play jokes on one another and smear colors on one another celebrating the arrival of Spring.

So, no matter where you happen to be in the world on April 1, don't be surprised if April fools fall playfully upon you.

Thanks to Personal Headlines for this topic....

www.personalheadlines.com/special_days/about_...