History of April 1 - Day of laughter

Unofficial, but popularly loved and celebratedThe day of laughter is celebrated on April 1. There is no exact date for the birth of this holiday, no one can say with certainty where this holiday came from. It can not be associated with the religious customs or traditions of any country in the world.

There are only assumptions that it is unitedcommon roots with the holidays of the spring of ancient times, when the population of ancient cities, villages gathered in the forests, and merry festivities with dances, songs and sacrifices were arranged. The ancient Greeks were convinced that a person must laugh, because laughter purifies. It was during this period that short humorous stories appeared, which we now call anecdotes.

The story of April 1 is full of ambiguities, althoughit is known for sure that about two thousand years ago in the eternal city - Rome - celebrated a similar holiday, which was then called the Day of Fools. Throughout Rome on this day, people joked and played each other.

In the Middle Ages, Asian and European rulersbegan to have jesters. The Russian court also had jesters, and not always from simple families. For example, during the reign of Anna Ioannovna, buffoonery received count's and princely titles.

The history of April 1 in France begins at the endsixteenth century. King Karl Ninth in 1564, by his decree, ordered to celebrate the New Year's holiday on January 1. But people so fond of the spring holiday that they still continued to congratulate their loved ones with the onset of the new year on the first day of April.

Years passed, and this tradition began to resemblea rally. So in France there was a holiday of fun and deceit. Since then, the French have celebrated more than 500 years on April 1, and do it on a grand scale. For example, in 1986 the well-known newspaper Parisien published an article stating that, according to the decision of the city authorities, the Eiffel Tower should be dismantled and transported to the suburbs of Paris, to the Marne Valley, where the construction of the French Disneyland is planned. Townspeople were outraged by this decision, and in the newspaper office the phone was glowing white-hot. This went on for exactly a day until the article-refutation appeared on the pages of the newspaper.

The English are famous for their stiffness, but they are not without a sense of humor. The history of April 1 in this country begins with the nineteenth century. In 1860, many Londoners

received an official invitation to the ceremonyThe bathing of white lions in the Tower. All the happy owners of the invitations at 11 o'clock came to the famous London prison, wishing to take part in a mysterious holiday. They could not believe that they were just played.

Jokes for April 1 in the Scots are somewhat rude. For example, they leave on the back of their victim a piece of paper with the inscription: "Kick me!"

The history of April 1 in Russia begins with the timesthe reign of Peter the Great. At first, this day was celebrated only in noble houses, but later the Day of Laughter became a nationwide one. Witty Russians do not hold. Jokes by April 1 are prepared carefully and in advance. Especially students and, strangely enough, businessmen succeeded in this. More than 80% of Russia's population play friends, colleagues and relatives on this day.