|
In sixteenth-century France, the start of the new year was observed
on April first. It was celebrated in much the same way as New Year's
Eve is today with parties and dancing into the late hours of the
night.
In 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian
world, and the new year fell on January first.
There were some people, however, who hadn't heard or didn't believe
the change in the date, so they continued to celebrate New Year's
Day on April first. Others played tricks on them and called them
"April fools." They sent them on a "fool's errand" or tried to make
them believe that something false was true.
|
= New Content
= recently updated 
