April Fools’ Day
April 1 is celebrated as April Fools’ Day in many countries. It’s a day for pulling off pranks and playing practical jokes on friends and family members. Though not a national holiday, children and adults come up with novel ways to trick or fool each other. The idea is not to be the scapegoat and have harmless fun with near and dear ones along the way.
Many believe that April Fools’ Day has its roots in Iran. Iranians play pranks on one another on the 13th day of the Persian New Year, which falls either on April 1 or April 2 of the Gregorian calendar. This day is known as the Sizdah Bedar, which dates back to 536 B.C. and is considered the oldest prank-tradition still alive in the world today.
However, the earliest recorded correlation between the first day of April and foolishness can be traced in the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer in 1392. Chaucer is regarded as the father of English Literature who played a crucial role in establishing English as the vernacular at a time when Latin and French were the two dominant languages in England.
Till the 18th century, almost every European town celebrated New Year on March 25. In a few areas in France, this was a week-long holiday, which culminated on April 1. But January 1 was common as New Year’s Day for Frenchmen from the middle of the 16th century. Many writers believe that the day originated because people who celebrated New Year on January 1 poked fun at those who celebrated on other dates.
In Italy, Belgium and France people traditionally attach paper fishes on one another’s back as a practical joke and exclaim “April fish” (in their native language). These kinds of fish are predominantly seen in French April Fools’ Day postcards dating back to late 19th and early 20th century.
There are other countries that celebrate the day of foolery on different dates. In Spain, for example, December 28 is considered as the day of pranks. Though it coincides with the Christian tradition of the “Day of the Holy Innocents”, there is no holiday for marking the occasion. In Mexico, once the prank or joke is pulled off, the joker comments “Inocente Para Siempre!” meaning “Innocent Forever!”
Add more fun to your April Fools’ Day celebrations with a large variety of novel gifts and accessories at Floralis. Your online flower store is now offering amazing discounts throughout the week as part of its Foundation Day celebrations. So order today and prepare for another day of joy, laughter and frolic.
April 1 is celebrated as April Fools’ Day in many countries. It’s a day for pulling off pranks and playing practical jokes on friends and family members. Though not a national holiday, children and adults come up with novel ways to trick or fool each other. The idea is not to be the scapegoat and have harmless fun with near and dear ones along the way.
Many believe that April Fools’ Day has its roots in Iran. Iranians play pranks on one another on the 13th day of the Persian New Year, which falls either on April 1 or April 2 of the Gregorian calendar. This day is known as the Sizdah Bedar, which dates back to 536 B.C. and is considered the oldest prank-tradition still alive in the world today.
However, the earliest recorded correlation between the first day of April and foolishness can be traced in the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer in 1392. Chaucer is regarded as the father of English Literature who played a crucial role in establishing English as the vernacular at a time when Latin and French were the two dominant languages in England.
Till the 18th century, almost every European town celebrated New Year on March 25. In a few areas in France, this was a week-long holiday, which culminated on April 1. But January 1 was common as New Year’s Day for Frenchmen from the middle of the 16th century. Many writers believe that the day originated because people who celebrated New Year on January 1 poked fun at those who celebrated on other dates.
In Italy, Belgium and France people traditionally attach paper fishes on one another’s back as a practical joke and exclaim “April fish” (in their native language). These kinds of fish are predominantly seen in French April Fools’ Day postcards dating back to late 19th and early 20th century.
There are other countries that celebrate the day of foolery on different dates. In Spain, for example, December 28 is considered as the day of pranks. Though it coincides with the Christian tradition of the “Day of the Holy Innocents”, there is no holiday for marking the occasion. In Mexico, once the prank or joke is pulled off, the joker comments “Inocente Para Siempre!” meaning “Innocent Forever!”
Add more fun to your April Fools’ Day celebrations with a large variety of novel gifts and accessories at Floralis. Your online flower store is now offering amazing discounts throughout the week as part of its Foundation Day celebrations. So order today and prepare for another day of joy, laughter and frolic.
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