The Origin of April Fools' Day

happy new year april fools

Believe it or not, the origin of April Fools' Day is directly linked to the New Year... the ancient New Year.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered the use of a new calendar, known as the Gregorian calendar, which celebrated New Year's Day on January 1. According to legend, many people refused to recognize the new calendar or simply didn't know about it. These uninformed people continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1.

I guess they didn’t get the memo - or didn’t want the memo.

Eventually, people who did get the memo began to make fun of these backward “fools." They either sent them on a "fool's errand" to look for things that did not exist, or tricked them into believing something false.

Whilst researching the origins of this fun-filled day, I came across the April Fool Zone - a whole website full of harmless pranks and practical jokes. 

I think I must try one or two of these simple, yet hilarious suggestions today ... but on who?

Mindfulness, Lifestyle, Jessica JesseJessica Jesseapril fools, spring 2016Comment