Laughter Day (Fool's Day)
Description:
The French, for example, claim that they are the founders of the celebration of the day of humor and pranks. It turns out that earlier in France, the new year began on April 1, but in the middle of the 16th century, King Charles the Ninth by a strong-willed decision moved the holiday to January 1, and with it the custom of giving family and friends New Year gifts. But the French, at first saddened, decided that they would continue to celebrate the holiday on April 1, too, but to give gifts not traditional, but humorous, with subtext. In general, the New Year is the opposite.
According to historians, in Germany, the tradition of celebrating April 1 appeared in the 17th century. On this day among the inhabitants it was customary, as the Germans say, "in den April schicken" - that is, how to put it mildly, "send each other in April." Friends and acquaintances told each other incredible stories. Children were sent early in the morning to the pharmacy with errands such as “go buy pigeon milk” or “bring us mosquito fat, cuckoo oil and dried snow.” To give such a non-standard order means to send in April.