(c) Image by Mary Lou
April World Holidays
April Fool’s Day – International
“Many historians believe that this day can be traced directly to the Hilaria Festivals that were celebrated during the Vernal Equinox in Rome. However, since this festival occurred in March, many people believe that the earliest recording of this day came from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales in 1392.”
“In the United States, people often try to scare, or fool, unsuspecting friends and family members using a variety of different techniques.”
“In Ireland, a letter is often given to an unsuspecting person on April Fool’s Day to be delivered to another person. When the person carrying the letter arrives at his destination, then the next person sends them some place else because the note inside the envelope reads, “Send the fool even further.””
The History of April Fools Day
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This past November 2018 I took part in the Nibvember 2018 Challenge. Day 27 prompt was Lettering and I came up with the design below. It’s easy to see where my inspiration came from as I’d participated in the A to Z Challenge Lessons Learned in 2016. So, feeling the call to try once again for A To Z Challenge 2019, I decided to sign up for this years using this design as my inspiration.
(c) Image by Mary Lou
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My theme for 2019 A to Z Challenge is:
April World Holidays from A to Z
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There still time to sign up! Here’s what it’s all about:
The story I always heard was that April 1 used to be the beginning of the year until Pope Gregory the Great’s calendar came out and moved it to January 1, but there were some people who refused to accept that. Originally people believed that the beginning of the year was close to the Annunciation (March 25, a week before April 1) but Gregory moved it to the week after Christmas. I did April Fool’s Day in an earlier A to Z challenge…
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I can see that happening! Folks are so resistant to change! 😀 I love all these stories.
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I’ve always wondered where this holiday came from. Thanks! Looking forward to following your AtoZ. Just an FYI that I didn’t get an email about your post. I’ll monitor the next few days to see what happens and let you know.
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Thanks Janet. I think there’s a link for ’email’ on the slide out bar on the left of my website. The follow button is on the bottom right. I think!?
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I always forget it is April Fool’s Day until someone catches me off guard. One of my staff’s daughters put vaseline on door knobs and she does it every year but in between she forgets and falls for it all over again. I can relate. I enjoyed reading your blog – I’m new to it. Found you via Twitter and the #AtoZChallenge. http://www.dianeweidenbenner.com happy writing!
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Thanks Diane! Happy writing to you too! 🙂
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Ann V Friend visiting from The AtoZ Challenge! Blessings✨
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I love the letter prank, wish I’d read earlier on the day, would’ve tried it for sure 😉
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Hahaha! Yes that would be a neat prank! 😀 Leave it to the Irish!
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I lived in France as a student in the late 70s early 80s. I remeber well how EVERYTHING was FISH on April Fools’ Fun video great post. HAPPY A-Z Challenge .
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That was something new for me. Glad you stopped by! 🙂
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Interesting. I always thought it started with the switch from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. I didn’t realize there were other theories about where it came from.
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I’m learning so much preparing for my AtoZ posts! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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What a perfect holiday to start toe A to Z off with!
I LOVE the letters you created! Very unique and beautiful.
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Thanks! I designed them for the 2016 A to Z and decided to use them again. Enjoy the AtoZ journey! 🙂
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That was very informative Mary. Great to read you.
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Thank you Sonia! 🙂
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Personally, I’m not a fan of Aprils Fool Day. Too much emphasis on not funny pranks 🙂
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I have to agree with you AJ 🙂
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