Well, it is the end of the day today and we all seem to have made it through without getting into too much trouble I hope. The basic research of web sites about the origins for this day of foolery doesn’t particularly reveal too much, though it does go back in time.
New Years used to be celebrated starting on March 25 and going on until April 1. References are given to the change of the calendar in France in 1582 under the reign of Charles IX, when New Years was changed to January 1st. Some people missed the change and continued to party on April 1st, (we would probably look up to them today… what Fools are these?).
There are several other explanations that have to do with the arrival of spring (we start getting foolish though in early February chasing around ground hogs in the middle of winter) but they don’t seem quite as satisfying as the French one. The important question is, does it really make any difference and why do we still do it?
We need time during the year to blow off a little steam, relieve some of the pressures of everyday life, turn things upside down- have some fun and then get back to work. If we can work it into the regular calendar of events it legitimizes it and people are less likely to do crazy things out of the blue that can be more destructive..unless you live in Hollywood.
April 1st isn’t the only time of year we get to have fun, Halloween, New Years Eve, and Mardi Gras are all similar kinds of events when we can dress up, drink too much, drink too much and dance around, and now play pranks on each other. These, like other holidays help give some meaning and order to the year, we measure time by these events, talk about them with our friends “remember the time when we…” and pass along traditions to our children.
So have a good time, but check the back of your shirt today for a “Kick me I’m stupid” sign (did you really turn around and look?). Did you know that the virtual elimination of the dreaded spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop. Eat the traditional spaghetti dinner tonight!
