How Did April Fool's Day Start?

April Fool's Day is today. We were asked: How did this day start? We found an answer here. 

The history of April Fool's Day, sometimes called All Fool's Day, is not totally clear. Some believe it evolved simultaneously in several cultures at the same time, from celebrations involving the first day of spring. 

The closest point in time that can be identified as the beginning of April Fool's Day is 1582, in France. Prior to that year, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25. The celebration culminated on April 1. When the Gregorian Calendar was introduced, New Year's Day was moved to January 1.

Communication being what it was in the days when news traveled by foot, many people did not receive the news for several years. Others, the more obstinate crowd, refused to accept the new calendar and continued to celebrate the new year on April 1. These folk were labeled "fools" by the general populace. They were subject to some ridicule, and were often sent on "fools errands" or were made the butt of practical jokes. 

This harassment evolved, over time, into a tradition of prank-playing on the first day of April. It spread around the world and April Fool's Day became an international fun fest, so to speak, with different nationalities specializing in their own brand of humor at the expense of their friends and families.

April Fool's Day is simply a fun little holiday, but a holiday on which you must remain forever vigilant. You don’t want to be an April Fool, do you?