April Fools’ Day is here
The first of April is the notorious day for trickery and pranks and consists of people playing forgivable tricks on one another for a laugh and possibly some memorable moments.
Since people focus on new ways to trick people every year, not many are aware of how the holiday began.
“The origin of April Fools’ Day remains clouded in obscurity. Basically no one knows exactly where, when or why the celebration began,” said Alex Boese in the Museum of Hoaxes article “The Origin of April Fool’s Day”.
While the exact reasons behind the holiday remain unclear, there are theories and ideas about how it originated.
According to Boese’s article, one idea is April Fools’ Day originated in ancient times, beginning in the Roman Empire during the festival of Saturnalia. The festival was a day of drinking and dancing and slaves were allowed to act as the rulers of their masters. There was even a fool who was elected as the king to reign for the day. This is said to be the beginning of the origin of the popular day. Eventually this day was moved to the first of January for the New Year.
Another theory is the calendar theory, which is based on the transformation from the Julian calendar to the Georgian calendar by France in 1563.
According to an article titled “April Fool’s Day History” on the Web site April Fools R Us, “The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year’s Day was moved from March 25 – April 1 (new year’s week) to January 1.”
People who celebrated this day with rebellious acts were labeled “fools.”
Regardless of whichever theory is right, April 1 evolved into April Fools’ Day and now people play simple and elaborate pranks. Some students tend to take it quite seriously by planning pranks far in advance.
“I would turn pictures in picture frames upside down and fool my people,” said Lacy Mosher, a sophomore English major.
Silly pranks are easy and simple, but it is important not to go over the top with them. There’s a fine line between being funny and being crude.
“My sister is not that nice. One time she tricked me and told me she had cancer when she didn’t,” said James Silva, a senior political science major.
April Fools’ Day has evolved into an American tradition of fun pranks for a laughable day. For some prank ideas, check out these Web sites listed below.
http://www.thefoolsday.com/
http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/aprilfool/
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Amanda Bernaudo at Bernaudo@colorado.edu.
