The first of April has long been a day of merriment across various cultures. However, the origins for modern celebrations are veiled in history. Now one is sure exactly which of the possible root origins is responsible for the April Fools’ holiday enjoyed today.
Cause 1: Hilaria
As with many popular holidays, there’s a Roman holiday that could be the origin. The festival occurred at the end of March and originally marked the rebirth of the goddess Cybele. The first couple days of the festival were somber, but the last was a day of amusement.
On the last day, everything from masquerades to games. There were also jokes played, much like those associated with modern April Fools. There’s even a record of a master sending his servants on impossible errands.
Cause 2: Moving New Year’s
Another of the options is the change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. In 1545, the Council of Trent passed a motion to design a new calendar system. This calendar system had to account for the drift that had moved the church calendar away from the solar calendar.
This led to the establishment of the Gregorian calendar in 1582. Adoption of the new calendar jumped eleven days forward to correct the existing drift. It also moved New Year’s from the vernal equinox to January 1. Unfortunately, its adoption was not unanimous across Europe. This led to some confusion over the years, and funny situations.
Cause 3: English Literature
There is a book called The Country Diary of Garden Lore that was published in England. In the book, April Fools’ links to The Ark. According to the book, April first lines up with the futile mission of the rook sent to look for land.
Cause 4: Spring Weather
There’s also a solar component to the rumors of April Fools’ origin. Spring weather in the northern hemisphere is unpredictable. In many places around the vernal equinox, temperatures fluctuate massively. This makes planting precarious for agrarian communities and led to talk of mother nature fooling farmers.
Parting Thoughts
April Fools’ Day is a lighthearted holiday. Whether celebrating involves one prank on a close friend or a joke every half hour, it’s a fun break from the winter doldrums. Regardless of the origins, enjoy the day.
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References
Gladwin, Libby. The Story Behind April Fool’s Day. 23 March 2018. Web. 15 April 2019.
History.com Editors. April Fools’ Day . 29 March 2019. Web. 15 April 2019.
Mikkelson, David. The origins of April Fools’ Day. 22 March 2000. Web. 15 April 2019.
Ross, Ashley. No Kidding: We Have No Idea How April Fools’ Day Started. 1 April 2019. Web. 15 April 2019.
Specktor, Brandon. The Mystery Behind How April Fools’ Day Got Started. n.d. Web. 15 April 2019.
Wills, Matthew. The Completely True History of April Fools’ Day. 31 March 2018. Web. 15 April 2019.