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Article: Ye olde fools were original April jokesters.
- Article from:
- The Boston Herald
- Article date:
- April 12, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1998 Boston Herald. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Q: As I was falling for April Fools' jokes left and right, I came up for air long enough to wonder how this stupid tradition got started.
A: We were trying to think of some joke answer to give you, but it sounds like you're fooled out.
Actually, no one knows exactly how the custom began - or if they do, they're not telling. Within the fool community, the theory that carries the most weight traces the joke day to Europe, where, a long time ago, they celebrated the New Year from March 25 to April 1, with presents being exchanged on the last day.
Things were fine until the mid-1560s, when King Charles IX of France changed New Year's Day to Jan. 1. ...