April Fool!

     I loved April Fool's Day when I was a kid.  I would usually stuff crumbled newspaper into my father's shoes on the night of March 31st.  He would fail to acknowledge the joke, so I guess the joke was on me.   When I was still working, one of the girls herded us into the room next door to our work area.  When the supervisor rolled in, she told him everyone had called in sick.  April Fool!!
     There are many theories on the origin of April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day, but nobody really knows how or where the holiday began.  One theory attributes the holiday to the switch from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar.  The Julian calendar (named for Julius Caesar) was introduced in 46 B.C. and was in use in Europe until the late 1500's.  New Year's Day was celebrated at the end of March during the Julian era.  Pope Gregory XIII established the Gregorian calendar in 1582.  The main purpose of the new calendar was to tidy up the pesky fractional day, remaining after day number 365, in the Earth's rotation around the sun.  The Gregorian calendar also changed New Year's Day to January 1st.  The French were the first to adopt the new calendar. Those who were not aware of the change, or didn't believe the news, continued to celebrate New Year's Day at the end of March.  They were labeled fools.  Thus began a tradition of playing tricks or trying to convince people that an improbable event had occurred - not.  The calendar switch was gradual throughout France (and Europe), so there was no official change over date.  New Year's Day could be celebrated in January or March during the transition, so the joke playing must have had other roots.
     Another theory was that the Emperor Constantine's court jester, a fellow named Kugel, claimed he could rule the empire better than his boss.  Constantine allowed Kugel to be king for a day.  During his 24 hour reign, Kugel passed an edict establishing April 1st as a day for absurdity.  Alas, this whole story was made up.  It was an April Fool's prank.
     People are people.  Scientists have long known that different cultures, in different places, at different times have independently come up with the same ideas.  The most likely explanation for All Fool's Day might be spring fever or spring renewal festivals.  The Romans had a spring celebration called Hilaria.  The Hindus celebrate Holi in the spring.  The Jews celebrate Purim.  The Festival of Lud honored the Celtic god of humor.  These are all light hearted celebrations.
     Some folks trace April Fool's Day back to Roman mythology.  Others say the day stems from Christian mythology.  France, Great Britain, Germany, and the Netherlands have taken credit for inventing the holiday.
     So, it's a big who knows?  And who cares?  I like a holiday that doesn't involve sending a Hallmark, wearing a special outfit, giving gifts, or preparing a big meal.  You just need a little creativity to celebrate.  Good monkeyshines to all of you.  Excuse me now.  I have to go and put a rubber rat in the toilet.