How did the April Fools Day tradition get started?
… The most convincing historical evidence suggests that April Fooling originated in France under King Charles IX. In the early 16th century in France, New Year’s Day was celebrated on March 25 with the advent of Spring. The celebrations ran for a full week and included exchanging gifts, dinners and parties, concluding on April 1. In 1564 when our current “Gregorian” calendar was adopted, King Charles proclaimed that New Year’s Day celebrations be moved back to January 1. As could be expected, many people resisted the change – or quite simply forgot about it – and continued to party and exchange gifts as usual from March 25 to April 1. These people were ridiculed by others by sending foolish gifts and invitations to non-existent parties. Years later, when the country was comfortable and accustomed to New Year’s Day on January 1, the April Fool’s practical joking was fondly remembered and grew into a tradition in it’s own right. It took almost 200 years for the custom to reach England
