History of April Fool's Day

The 1st of April and everyone's out there trying to find a reason to fool you!
But ever wondered what is the origin of April Fool's Day?

Prior to 1563, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25. The celebration culminated on April 1 and was celebrated in much the same way as it is today with parties and dancing into the late hours of the night.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the new Gregorian Calendar. Ten days were deleted from the calendar, so that the 4th of October, 1582 was followed by 15th of October, 1582, and New Year's Day was moved to the 1st of January. One popular story credits the reform of the calendar to King Charles IX in 1563. Notice this is prior to the "Gregorian calendar" change and the pope's edict in 1582. It is known that the Council of Trent (1545-1563) did authorized a calendar reform in 1545, so it is possible that King Charles IX could have moved New Year's Day to January 1 before the decree was made by Pope Gregory XIII.

Upon moving the official New Year's Day from the 1st of April to the 1st of January, there were some people who hadn't heard or didn't believe the change in the date, so they continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April first. Others played tricks on them and called them "April fools." They were subject to some ridicule, and were often sent on "fools errands" or were made the butt of other practical jokes. In France today, April first is called "Poisson d'Avril." French kids fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends' backs. When the "young fool" discovers this trick, the prankster yells "Poisson d'Avril!" (April Fish!)

So much for the French being the butt of all jokes! ;)