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Show Why THIS Is APRIL FOOL'S DAY HISTORICALLY people have always quarreled over the origin of April Fool's day. The class of antiquarians who date everything back to the Old or New Testament Testa-ment claim that in the dark ages people founded a farcical custom in commemoration commemora-tion of Christ having been sent to Annas, then to Caiaphas, then to Filate, from Pilate to Herod and from Herod back to Pilate - again. While it is true that the crucifixion took place on the 1st of April, it seems likely that the majority of generations down through history had no such sacrilegious idea in their minds or the practice would long since have been discontinued. A much more plausible explanation for the day lies in the theory that it is a part of some old celebration held at the spring equinox. What strengthens this belief Is the fact that the Hindus for hundreds of years have had exactly the same custom. They hold the sacred feast of Hull on the last day of March and on the following day send their friends on every possible fool's erjand. Another convincing explanation is to be found In studying French history. France, like all other nations, once dated the New Year from March 25 instead of Jan. 1. L'nder Charles IX., in the year 1561, they broke the old calendar and accepted the new. By this change the old habit, of giving giv-ing gifts on the 1st of April to celebrate the New Year was transferred to Jan. 1 and the French burlesqued the deserted date by establishing all manner of mock presents and tricks. This was exaggerated by the opposition of various individuals to the change, and It was upon them that the wags vented their ridicule, calling upon them with humorous ceremony, sending them absurd presents, etc. It was not until two centuries later that England took up the habit. However, when it became general it, remained a fixed custom cus-tom and has been transplanted to America and to practically the whole of the world with the exception of China, Japan and Turkey. |