A History of Fools

Nobody likes being made a fool of, so when it comes to the biggest prank day of the year, we are all suddenly alert and suspicious of our friends and family’s possible hidden agendas. But interestingly enough, rumor has it that April Fool’s Day originated with one the biggest pranks in history—literally.

Otherwise known as All Fools’ Day, some theologists say that the meaning behind April 1 originated in the French change to the Gregorian calendar ordered by King Charles IX of France in 1582. Prior to this, New Year was celebrated from March 25 to April 1. With the change of the calendar system, New Year was relocated to January 1. Some people either refused to accept the sudden change or simply did not hear the news and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1, hence being regarded as a "fool."

People began to make fun of these traditionalists who didn't accept the new date and gave them invitations to nonexistent parties, gag gifts or experienced other unpleasant tactics by loved ones. However, amidst these speculations, the truth of the matter is nobody knows the exact origin of April Fool’s Day.

The earliest written record of this infamous prank day can be found in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales in 1392 where it referenced the fool that believed April 1 was still New Year’s Day. However, it never mentioned where that idea originated. The book was also written prior to King Charles IX reign, which may negate the New Year’s meaning altogether.

In New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the UK, the pranks only last until noon. If jokesters wish to pull a fast one after such time, they would then be considered the fool! Even the UK newspapers won’t post front page jokes following the afternoon deadline.

In Portugal, April Fool's is celebrated on the Sunday and Monday before Lent and its tradition is to throw flour at your loved ones. In the U.S and other countries like France, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, Japan, Russia, The Netherlands, Germany, Brazil and Canada, the fun lasts all day long.

For Montrose resident Brian Clearwater, luck was never really on his side when it came to being made a fool. “A few years ago on April Fool’s, my phone rang in the middle of the night,” said Clearwater outside .

“It was my friend telling me he was in the county jail after a DUI arrest. I was really mad, but went to the station to bail him out. It turns out, no one was there and he was at home … asleep. I was furious for a few days and then I laughed.”

April Fool’s Day last year is not a day Montrose local Christine Mullen will soon forget. “I really thought I had the best prank ever,” explained Mullen.

“I called up my girlfriend and told her that her ex-boyfriend was shacking up with a girl we both knew. She hung up and called him immediately, which was shocking. The next thing I knew, they both stopped speaking to me. It was the end of that friendship. I guess it wasn’t that funny!”

If you really want to aggravate your loved ones, this fake parking ticket should do the trick. Or check out the following computer trick, which I myself got spooked by. Also, you can read Patch's April Fool's Day prank suggestions .

Happy April Fool’s Day!