The History and Origins of April Fool's Day
Ancient cultures such as the Romans and the Hindus celebrated New Year's Day on April 1. It closely follows the vernal equinox (March 21st). In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar (the Gregorian Calendar) to replace the old Julian Calendar.
The Gregorian Calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated Jan. 1.
Although France formally adopted the Gregorian Calendar, many French
continued to celebrate the New Year on April 1 either because of slow
communications or their sense of tradition. As a result, these French
were called "fools" or were sent on "fool's errands." The French came to call April 1 Poisson d'Avril, or "April Fish"
because a young, naive fish is easily caught.
The day eventually evolved into a day of jokes and pranks. England
and the American colonies started celebrating April Fool's Day in
approximately 1752.
April Fool's Day Websites
Top 100 April
Fool's Day Hoaxes of All Time A description of some of the biggest
April Fool's Day pranks in history.
Novelty Money Plant Project Download and print a real-looking
seed packet for a money tree! This would be a great prank to play on
your kids or a class.
Family Fun's April Fools Day Pranks for Families This is a big site with April Fools Day pranks to play on your whole family. One
of our favorites is surprising your kids with a gummy worm in their
apple at lunch!
April Fools Tricks and Tips for Teachers
The Prankster's Ultimate Handbook: The World's Most Infamous, Illustrated, Hardcore Guide to Fiendishly Clever Practical Jokery & Much, Much More!!
April Fools R Us A
terrific collection of various pranks, tricks, and jokes.
A Grade 3-4 Lesson Plan for April Fool's Day Need some April Fools
Day ideas for your classroom?
April Fool's Day Pranks like icing a box to make it look like
a cake and leaving it in the break room at work. |
