April Fools Day

Here is something I found on the internet about April Fools Day. Try as I might, I couldn't find any solid facts on how it got started. If you have any other comments on April Fools day, please, feel free to let me know what you think! !

Editorial
April Fools’ Day
March 31, 2009, 8:18pm
Although not considered a holiday in its own right, April Fools’ Day (or All Fools’ Day) is celebrated in many countries on April 1. The day-long observance is marked by hoaxes and practical jokes played on gullible individuals who may come from among the members of one’s family, circle of friends, neighbors, or even those with whom one has incurred enmity.
The origin of April Fools’ Day is not clear. There are varying accounts as to how it began. One version has it that it was first celebrated soon after the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar and the term "April Fool" referred to someone who still adhered to the Julian Calendar that it replaced. Another account has it that in pre-Christian cultures, May Day (May 1) was celebrated as the first day of summer that signaled the beginning of the spring planting season, and an April Fool was someone who celebrated the season prematurely – in April. Still another source, which is based on an English newspaper article published on April 13, 1789, traces the origin of April Fools’ Day to the day when Noah sent off a raven too early, before the waters had receded; it is said that the day the raven was sent off corresponded to the first day of the Hebrew month of April.
Regardless of its origin, April Fools’ Day has become a popular celebration around the world. Among the most popular jokes played on the gullible during the day include borrowing money, sending someone on a foolish errand, getting others to look for things that do not exist; playing pranks, and getting people to believe ridiculous things.
While occasionally lending ourselves to lighthearted celebrations and practices may have its beneficial effects such as breaking the monotony of our everyday life and relieving us from our stressful activities, we are urged to be cautious on who we play tricks on and the types of tricks we might play, in order to avoid a supposedly lighthearted situation from leaving a sour taste.
As we play tricks on other people, let us be mindful of the kind of tricks that we ourselves would find acceptable should we end up the unsuspecting victims. There is still no substitute for the Golden Rule.