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On This Day in (Somewhat Inaccurate) History... April 1st, 1897...

4/1/2016

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I'm actually sort of excited about this one. As it turns out, on this day, April Fool's Day (All Fool's Day) is officially recorded as a thing in America. The first mention of anything foolish on this day happening was recorded in France in 1582, referring to those who were a bit mystified by the change from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as the beginning of the new year switched from April 1st to January 1st. Those who were not in the know were referred to as "fools." The tradition then spread throughout Europe, taking on several different motifs. In America, it was borrowed from Great Britain's tradition. Now, Great Britain didn't adapt the Gregorian calendar until 1752, and then "celebrated" the 1st of April by telling jokes and pulling pranks until noon. Those who tried to do so after that time were regarded as fools, so it was more like a race against time in those days. So, in 1897, then President William McKinley, thinking a variation was in order, because why should those who thought noon should be some sort of stopping point for hilarity, kicked then Vice President Garret Hobart in the balls and yelled "fool of April!" at him. And everyone thought it was just hilarious.

AMERICA, FOOL!
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    Sean Michael Welch has written things, and that's good to know.

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