April Fool's Day

"April 1st: This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three-hundred and sixty-four." — Mark Twain

The origins of April Fool's Day are uncertain but what is certain is its continuing popularity right across the world. Explanations of its origins range from the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar, which moved New Year's Day form April 1st to January 1st, to its association with the Vernal Equinox.

The top 100 April Fool's Day hoaxes include such things as the Swiss Spaghetti Harvest, Nixon's Re-election Campaign, Changes to the Value of Pi, the Derbyshire Fairy and, or course, the ever-popular U.F.O. sightings. Unfortunately not all hoaxes are funny and head of the top 10 worst hoaxes of all time is Saddam Hussein's son, Uday, who told Iraqis , in 1998, that President Clinton had lifted sanctions against Iraq and in 1999 that the food ration would be supplemented with Pepsi and chocolate. Gotta love that sense of humour!!

One of the most fun sites I could find about April Fool's Day can be found here. It contains lots of interesting history, quotes, pranks and other nonsense.

So, whether you want to announce a U.F.O., prove that George Bush really is the missing link or just paint the neighbour's cat pink, remember - play safe, have fun and, as Colette said: "You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm".