March is coming to an end, which means that spring and rain will be coming up in April. The first day of this refreshing month, also known as April Fools’ Day, is notorious for its pranks and mischief. Plenty of people enjoy this day, but others may find it obnoxious; the pranks could be seen as unpleasant and annoying, and the holiday itself is unnecessary. Personally, I also find this holiday a bit irrelevant.
I have more questions than points about why I don’t like this holiday. Mostly my one question is quite simply, why? Why are we trying to prank everyone? Tricksters such as those who participate during this day could just pull these pranks on their family or friends any other day, so why dedicate just one day to it? On top of that, who genuinely pranks anyone in the name of April Fools’ Day anymore? I’ve always disliked April Fools’ Day; the way it encourages misbehavior and hoaxes doesn’t sit right with me. Sure, it is fun to mess with your loved ones and peers, I just don’t see the point in dedicating one day to such tomfoolery. What if people actually get hurt, physically or emotionally? People can then blame their tricks and teasing to the tradition of this day then suddenly it’ll be okay? Is there a rulebook or guidelines for how to properly and respectfully participate?
According to britannica.com, April Fools possibly originated in France when Charles IX decreed that the New Year would start on January 1st instead of Easter because Easter’s date would change. Those who would “cling to the old ways” were labeled as the “April Fools”. Another possibility stated is that it could relate to the vernal equinox on March 21st, “a time when people are fooled by the sudden change in weather”. All this considered, and if any of this were true, why make it a holiday? Nothing very significant happened other than the weather changing and Charles IX finally catching up to Christendom’s times.
It doesn’t seem reasonable to celebrate mischievous jokes as a national holiday, it just doesn’t sound right. Either way, it is fun to play harmless pranks with your loved ones, so have fun this April Fools’ Day with smaller jokes that don’t cause any lasting problems!
