2007-03-27 08:44:36 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
The Court Jester was fired by the king. There was no where else to get a job, so he decided to go into business for himself. He came up with the idea of a Fool's Day, picked April 1st, and franchised the idea out. The idea took off, and you know the rest of the story..........April Fools!!!
2007-03-28 17:06:03 · answer #1 · answered by Pat C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The closest point in time that can be identified as the beginning of this tradition was in 1582, in France. Prior to that year, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25. The celebration culminated on April 1. With the reform of the calendar under Charles IX, the Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved to January 1.
However, communications being what they were in the days when news traveled by foot, many people did not receive the news for several years. Others, the more obstinate crowd, refused to accept the new calendar and continued to celebrate the new year on April 1. These backward folk were labeled as "fools" by the general populace. They were subject to some ridicule, and were often sent on "fools errands" or were made the butt of other practical jokes. This harassment evolved, over time, into a tradition of prank-playing on the first day of April.
2007-03-27 17:36:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋