April Fool’s Stories From Across The World

It is that day of the year again when people play all sorts of pranks on friends and family as part of the April Fool’s Day fun. The day is not a public holiday in any country except Odessa in Ukraine, where the first of April is an official city holiday.

 France

One story has it that France, in 1564, changed its calendar to the modern Gregorian version, and therefore mandated everyone to celebrate on January 1st, instead of the last week of March, as it was done.

As with anything that has to do with human beings, some people opposed the new calendar and chose to continue celebrating theirs on the end of the New Year week, which fell on April 1.

As the story goes, the guys who decided to stick to the old calendar were referred to as fools.

 England

The British version of this story is a bit interesting and will really sell in a story book for kids.

According to the story, residents of the Nottinghamshire town of Gotham heard that King John, who reigned around the 13th century, claimed any road he stepped on.

So, in a bid to save their land, the residents of the town refused him from entering Gotham.

Soldiers were sent out by the King to forcefully take the town but were shocked when they saw lunatics in every corner of the town.

Apparently Gotham residents planned that they would all pretend to be lunatics, and on seeing them, the Monarch decided that there was no need to punish the residents for their action.

So, the action of the residents of Gotham fooled King John, and the day was known as April Fool’s Day.

 UK

In the UK, people reveal an April Fool joke by shouting “April fool!” when a target falls for a prank or a joke.

However, the joking ends by mid-day and anyone who plays a prank after then becomes the April fool.

 Poland

In Poland, April 1 is a day where serious work is avoided and many jokes are told.

Reports have it that even the media helps to promote the fables to give them authenticity on that day.

Ireland

In Ireland, people play jokes but only until noon. Those who play jokes after are frowned upon.
In Scotland, April Fools’ Day is celebrated for two days.

Greece

In Greece there are several beliefs around April Fools’ pranks, the first being that if you can trick someone, you’ll have good luck all year long.

Other beliefs are that successful tricksters will enjoy a good year of crops, and that the water from rainfall on April 1 has healing abilities.

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