April Fool's Day...What's So Funny About It?

I was born on April 1st over two scores ago, and as far back as I can remember someone has tried to play an April Fool's joke on me. They felt that it being my birthday and all that I was especially deserving of some sort of prank or trick. I never found the jokes funny, and I never found any sort of appreciation for pranking people in general.

Annoyance aside, the whole tradition brought about a lot of questions. Why this day? Where did this "April Fool's Day" originate?

 I started my research and found that the day itself seems almost to be some sort of prank. There are theories of its origin, but no definitive answers about where this day for making someone feel like a fool got its start.

To be fair, the pranks are supposed to be harmless and in good fun, but someone always takes it too far. There are many theories, and one is bound to be close to truth, I suppose.

One theory that stood out to me was the Roman holiday "Halaria".  Hilaria was usually celebrated at the end of March and people dressed up in disguise. Even more interesting than all of the origin theories is that April Fool's Day, also called All Fool's Day,  is celebrated all over the world, which I think is actually pretty cool.

Now, no one has attempted an April Fool's Day joke on me in years. I think that perhaps they realized they were more likely to face my wrath, than they were to hear a laugh.

Do not get me wrong, I enjoy a great joke and good natured teasing amongst friends and loved ones, but there has always been something about pranks that seem innately nasty, and overall mean spirited.

Honestly, I have to admit there is one great benefit to having your birthday on April Fool's Day. No one ever forgets your birthday. My birthday is a day my friends and family always remember. My birthday was wonderful today, with lots of well wishes coming from all over the country, and the world. I hope your April Fool's Day was wonderful as well.

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