April 1 — April Fools’ Day!
Although the origin of playing practical jokes and pranks on this day is hazy, many folklorists believe that it may go back to 16th-century France. At that time, New Year’s Day was March 25, with a full week of partying and exchanging gifts lasting until April 1. In 1582, the Gregorian calendar moved New Year’s Day back to January 1. Those who forgot or refused to honor the new calendar were the butts of jokes and ridicule.
In honor of April 1, we remind you of some very foolish things that have happened within this month.
• Any fool knows that tax day is April 15, but, fittingly, April is also the month in which the U.S. Mint was established, in 1792.
• Alec Guinness was born April 2, 1914, later gaining his fame by publishing every foolish feat that ever set a record.
• On April 7, 1857, snow fell in every southern state in the United States, just to make fools of the weathermen, no doubt.
• And finally, to cap off the foolishness, on April 29, 1848, Niagara Falls stopped flowing for 30 hours. Now that’s foolish!
To be a fool at the right time is also an art.
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4 comments:
Ya learn new things every day - thanks for adding to my list!
Lots od good info there. I really never knew New Years was celebrated in March.
Thanks for sharing, BTW, on April 23 1948 it snowed, that was the day my SIL was born and they couldn't get to the hospital because of the snow. She was born at home, but then back then that wasn't a big deal in the country areas.
Yer little VW bug is so cute!
Got any mischief planned fer tomorrow? I always pull something.
Thanks for the information - hey is there any good time NOT to be foolish?
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