History of April Fool's Day

Check your chairs for whoopee cushions, your phones for the superglue, and the back of your sweaters for "Kick me hard!" Signs. This is the day April Fools!

The history of April Fool's Day is uncertain, but current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX.

The Gregorian calendar was introduced, and the New Year was moved from a weeklong celebration starting March 25 and continuing to April 1 at the single day of January 1.

News traveled slowly in those days. Some people were not aware of the change until several years later.

These people were labeled idiots by the general public. They were subjected to ridicule and sent to run errands fools. They sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other practical jokes on them.

The butts of these pranks became known as Poisson d 'Avril or April fish because a young naive fish is easily caught.

The custom of stuffing game after the first day of April.

The tradition eventually spread to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and French.

Other countries celebrate April Fool's Day in their own way.

In England, jokes are played only in the morning. Fools are called gobs or gobby and the victim of a joke called a noodle. It was considered bad luck to play a joke on someone after noon.

In Rome, the feast is known as the Festival of Hilaria, in honor of the god Attis. It is March 25 and is also known as Roman Laughing day.