Be Prepared on April Fool’s Day
 

During the sixteenth century in France, the new year started on April 1st. Participants celebrated the day with parties late into the night, as we do today. It was in 1562 that Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar making New Year’s Day January 1st.

News traveled slowly if at all during this time and many people had not heard or did not believe the change, so they continued to celebrate on April 1st. People in the know made fun of the non-believers and played tricks on them.

Today in France, April 1st is known as Poisson d’Avril. Children tape paper fish to their friends’ backs; then when the fool discovers the trick, the trickster yells, “Poisson d’Avril (April Fish)!” In England you have only until midday to play your trick. The Scottish, however, have 48 hours of hunting the gowk (cuckoo). The second day is known as Taily Day and includes tricks involving your behind.  So, leave gullibility at home that day and beware of tricks.