Library
Title:
April Fools Day is coming
Author:
Carol W. Kimball
Subjects:
April Fools Day
practical jokes or hoaxes
Gregorian calendar
Julian calendar
Object ID:
Kim11-079
Object Name:
Scrapbook
Category:
8: Communication Artifact
Subcategory:
Documentary Artifact
Publisher:
The Day
Publication Place:
New London, CT
Pubication Date:
03/31/2008
Collection:
Carol W. Kimball
Summary:
It's been said that April Fool's Day has to do with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar. Under the old Julian calendar the new year began March 15, after the vernal equinox. Under the new Gregorian calendar proposed by Pope Gregory, the new year began Jan. 1. Those who clung to the old Julian calendar supposedly were called April Fools. But England didn't adopt the Gregorian calendar until 1753 and there are references to April Fools Day before that date. Others say the day was started by Emperor Constantine, who loved his court jesters. He allowed a favorite jester to be king for a day, issuing an edict that called for absurdity on that date. The French have a similar occasion called poisson d'Avril where the object is to try secretly to attach a paper fish to someone's back.
People:
Kimball, Carol
Gregory, Pope
Constantine, Emperor
Search Terms:
April Fool's Day
Gregorian calendar
Julian calendar
new year
vernal equinox
court jesters
king for a day
French
poisson d'Avril
paper fish
hoax
joke