The origins of April Fool's Day -- Elucidations

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Subject: The origins of April Fool's Day

Author:
Loraine

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Date Posted: 04/ 1/04 16:46

"April Fool's Day is one of the most light hearted days of the year, yet it stems from a serious subject�the adoption of a new calendar.

...In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar (the Gregorian Calendar) to replace the old Julian Calendar. The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated Jan. 1. Many countries, however, resisted the change. In fact, some European countries held out for centuries (Scotland until 1660; Germany, Denmark, and Norway until 1700; and England until 1752).

In 1564 France adopted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year's day to Jan. 1. However, many people either refused to accept the new date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year's Day April 1.

Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing something false."

See the rest of the story here:
April Fool's Day has serious origins -- from infoplease.com

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Replies:

[> Subject:

OMG!! I used to use Julian calender in Air Force! I heard that Roman(or Greek) new year was February, so October is 10th month instead of 8th.(Oct is prefix of 8, as you know) In Japan, most school and business start from April still. We use Gregorian most of time, but also use Lunar calender for old traditional celemonies. I juggled 4 calenders once. Not to mention millitary time..... 16:00 sharp, surge!! Well, thank you for the info, Loraine!

Author:
Kaori
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Date Posted: 04/ 2/04 22:37

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[> [> Subject: Hey Kaori, it's interesting that in Japan April is still used as a year beginning! I've always wondered why our fiscal year starts in October. Well, as one of the philosophers said, time isn't real, anyway. It's just a concept! I can do military time with you, where the phrase "0'dark thirty" actually makes sense. ;-)
Author: Loraine [ Edit \| View ]	Date Posted: 04/ 4/04 12:36 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: We have BC1 and AD1 but we don't have year 0. Isn't it funny? We use Emperor's calender also in Japan. The last(Shouwa) one died in Jan1989, so new one(Heisei) started in 1989. 1963 is Showa 38...We still use this too. And year of animals! I don't know how I could managed all?!
Author: Kaori [ Edit \| View ]	Date Posted: 04/ 5/04 3:54 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Is the Japanese year of the animals the same thing as Chinese astrology?
Author: Loraine [ Edit \| View ]	Date Posted: 04/ 5/04 8:20 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: I guess so. Because it is originated in China. There is possibility one is different. You know, I don't know anything about China nor Korea. We speak different languages so can't communicate at all. I feel you guys (American & Eulopians) are much closer than them. Isn't it something?
Author: Kaori [ Edit \| View ]	Date Posted: 04/ 6/04 0:45 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: I'll have to look them up and compare :-) That's interesting, Kaori. Guess it's like us and Mexico. Same continent, but different language and culture. I would feel more at home in Europe, I think, then in Mexico. Haven't been to Mexico to really say, though, lol.
Author: Loraine [ Edit \| View ]	Date Posted: 04/ 7/04 19:22 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: But my stomach understands different cultures very well. LOL!! Except pig feet from Thailand... I thought my tongue would fall off.
Author: Kaori [ Edit \| View ]	Date Posted: 04/ 9/04 3:11 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Eww... we tried pig's ears while in Madrid back quite a few years ago and uh.. won't do that again! UGH! But, it was a new experience, lol!
Author: Loraine [ Edit \| View ]	Date Posted: 04/ 9/04 9:07 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]