The History of Today

Have you read in the news about the fact that  they have now discovered that the world is, in fact, flat?

Haha, April Fools!  I am sure we did not “get” too many of you as really, how could that be, but just thought we would try!

Although the earliest recorded association between April 1 and foolishness can be found in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales (1392), it is felt that the April Fool’s Day or All Fool’s Day, as it is sometimes called, that we now celebrate, started when the Gregorian Calendar was introduced in 1582 in France.  New Year’s Day was moved from March 25-April (new year’s week) to January 1.  As news travelled very slowly in those days, it was sometimes a couple of years before people heard about the change and so they were labelled “fools” and were called “April fish” as a young naive fish is easily caught.  People started putting a paper fish on the back of other people as a  joke on this day.  Today, in Italy, France and Belgium, this is still done.

This joke-playing tradition spread to different places and in the 1700’s was brought to the American colonies by the French and the British.  Today, each country enjoys this fun and celebrates it in its own way.  For example, in England, a joke can only be played before noon.  It is considered bad luck to play a joke on someone after noon.

Chaucer was way ahead of his time – what can we say?

Be sure to share the joy and laughter this April Fool’s Day!  And we are wanting to be sure to wish Hilary the best birthday from her “Second Mum” (that would be Jackie!).