With March headed to its finale at midnight tonight, I’m
thinking of how quickly this month has past, beginning a new one.
With the arrival of April, we traditionally expect
showers for the entire or the prevalent part of the month. There is also
Easter, celebrating the death and resurrection of the Christian God, which is
symbolic of the winter's departure and the arrival of spring.
April also happens to be the month of April’s Fools.
April’s Fools day is celebrated by some and dreaded by others. It falls on the
first day of the month, a prelude to the joyous nature of spring. It happens
also to be a day for pranksters to revel in their madness and put their best
prank foot forward.
But, for those such as myself that are inquisitive about
the creation of this day, I have discovered that the origins of this day is
highly debatable.
According to Discovery News, there are several tales as
to how April’s Fools day began. One such story began with Pope Gregory XIII
creating a new calendar for adoption. The new calendar ultimately changed the
celebration of the New Year from the first of April to January 1st.
April’s Fools day rooted from pranks being played on
individuals that refused to recognize the new calendar change, by those who
had.
Another variation states that the Roman Empire celebrated
the arrival of the god Attis, on a day labeled Hilaria, or Roman Laughing day.
In India, the equivalent is Holi Day, or the colourful
celebration where revelers are showered with coloured powders, and celebrate
their Hindu beliefs jovially. The Hindu also are known to poke fun at non-Hindu
believers during this festival day.
With this day celebrating the prankster in us all, I
wanted to know how others celebrate the day, and what would be an ideal prank
to play on a family member or friend.
So I asked a series of individuals, "How do you
celebrate April’s Fools day?"
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