April Fools' Day also referred as All Fools' Day is a day celebrated in
almost all countries on the first day of the fourth month of Georgian
calendar. The day is celebrated on April 1st every year. The All Fools’
Day is again the most awaited day through out the world, when people
have full liberty to play pranks on their friends, family members,
enemies, and neighbors.
The day comes with showers of laughter all around. People forget their
sorrows and get blended in the jolly arena on this day. The day is
marked by playing pranks and other practical jokes on near and dear
ones.
Origin
- April fool’s Day is thought to originate long back in 1582, when
new Gregorian calendar was adopted over the older Julian calendar.
- Previously April 1st was considered the New Year day and the
first day of the year; this was later changed to January 1st by King
Charles IX of France while some of the people continued to practice
older system.
- It is also considered that few people might have celebrated the
April 1st as the first day of summer, confusing it with the May Day or
1st May.
Across the World
April 1st is celebrated universally across the world as April fool’s
Day. Celebrations for April fool’s day are limited till noon time in
few countries like UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa while
in Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Russia, The Netherlands, and the U.S
celebrations are carried through out the day.
In India though the April fool’s Day is not celebrated as the
traditional festival but these days, is becoming popular and is mainly
celebrated among youngsters and kids. People love to play jokes and
then shout loudly as “April Fool”
In Scotland, for example, April fool’s Day is observed for two days.
The second day is meant for playing pranks involving the posterior
region of the body and is also referred as Taily Day. The origin of the
"kick me" sign can be traced to this observance.
In France, April fool’s day is called "Poisson d'Avril." French kids
play a special game on this day. The object of the game is to tape a
paper fish on someone's back without that person noticing. When the
victim spots the fish taped to their back, the kids yell "Poisson
d’Avril!" (April Fish!)
In Belgium, April 1st is meant for playing pranks on others but the
phrase is said that one tries to bake April Fish on this day.