Unofficial, but popularly loved and celebrated April Fools' Day is celebrated on April 1. There is no exact date for the origin of this holiday, no one can say with accuracy where this holiday came from. It cannot be associated with the religious customs or traditions of any country in the world.
There are only assumptions that it has common roots with the spring holidays of ancient times, when the population of ancient cities and villages gathered in the forests and fun festivities were organized with dances, songs and sacrifices.
The ancient Greeks were convinced that a person must laugh because laughter clears. It was during this period that short humorous stories appeared, which we now call jokes.
The history of April 1 is full of ambiguities, although it is known for certain that about two thousand years ago in the eternal city - Rome - they celebrated a similar holiday, which was then called the Day of fools. All over Rome that day, people joked and acted out each other.
In the Middle Ages, Asian and European rulers began to make jesters. The Russian court also had jesters, and not always from ordinary families. For example, during the reign of Anna Ioannovna, jesters received count and princely titles.
The history of April 1 in France begins at the end of the sixteenth century. King Charles the Ninth in 1564 ordered by his decree to celebrate the New Year holiday on January 1. But people loved the spring holiday so much that they continued to congratulate their loved ones on the New Year on the first day of April.
Years passed, and this tradition began to resemble a rally. So in France there was a holiday of fun and deception. Since then, the French have been celebrating April 1 for more than 500 years, and they are doing it on a grand scale. For example, in 1986, the famous newspaper Parisienne published an article stating that, according to the decision of the city authorities, the Eiffel Tower should be dismantled and transported to the suburbs of Paris, in the Marne Valley, where the construction of the French Disneyland is planned. The townspeople were outraged by such a decision, and in the newspaper's office the phone became white-hot. This went on exactly one day until a denial article appeared on the pages of the newspaper.
The British are famous for their stiffness, but they are not without a sense of humor. The history of April 1 in this country begins in the nineteenth century. In 1860, many Londoners
received an official invitation to the ceremony of bathing
white lions in the Tower. All the lucky owners of invitations at 11 o'clock came to the famous London prison, wanting to take part in a mysterious holiday. They could not believe that they were just played.
Jokes on April 1, the Scots are somewhat rude. For example, they leave on the back of their victim a piece of paper with the inscription: “Kick me!”
The history of April 1 in Russia begins with the reign of Peter the Great. At first, this day was celebrated only in noble houses, but later, April Fools' Day became popular. Wit the Russians do not hold. Jokes for April 1 are prepared carefully and well in advance. Especially students and, strangely enough, businessmen succeeded in this. More than 80% of the population of Russia play friends, colleagues and relatives on this day.