I can't believe I forgot my second-favorite holiday! There are a lot of theories about how April 1st came to be celebrated as the day of pranks. April 1st used to be the first day of the year, before the change to the Gregorian calendar in the 16th Century. The people who refused to change over and celebrated the beginning of the new year on April 1st were April fools. Of course, that doesn't explain why people play tricks on April 1st. Also, the day was celebrated in many countries which didn't adopt the Gregorian calendar until later.
April 1st used to be called "All Fools Day," which brings to mind All Saints Day. On one we remember our morality and the virtues of our dead and on the other we celebrate our living foibles and both our gullibility and ingenuity. To mark the occasion, if belatedly, I'm bringing out this chestnut again: The Famous Hoaxes Map by Bianca200. Enjoy!
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