Done by Antonenko I.G. March, 2009

The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year. (by Mark Twain)The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year. (by Mark Twain)

The first of April, some do say, is set apart for All Fools Day.The first of April, some do say, is set apart for All Fools Day.

But why the people call it so, nor I, nor they themselves do know.

But on this day are people sent on purpose for pure merriment. (Poor Robins Almanac, 1790)

History

April Fools Day originated from the New Year Festival in the 16 th century. 1

The New Year celebrations began on March 25 th and ended on April 1 st. 2

People sent each other presents and invited guests round to their houses. 3

Then in 1582 King Charles IX of France declared, that there should be a new calendar, for the Christians, called the Gregorian Calendar. 4

New Year was then celebrated on January 1 st. However, some people liked the old traditions and still celebrated New Year on April 1 st. 5

These people were called April fools and a lot of tricks were played on them, like inviting them to imaginary parties or they were given funny presents. 6

After a while, everybody agreed to the new calendar, but they liked the fun they had on April 1 st and carried on playing jokes on people. 7

So that is how it all started. Today its a big tradition in Britain and people really enjoy themselves. Most April Fool jokes are meant to be funny and not to hurt others. 8

The best April Fool joke is the one where everybody laughs – even the person who the trick was played on in the first place. 9