Happy Julian New Year

April Fool's Day
Did you know the origin of April Fool's day goes back to 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar (the Gregorian Calendar) to replace the old Julian Calendar? The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated Jan. 1. Many countries, however, resisted the change. In fact, some European countries held out for centuries (Scotland until 1660; Germany, Denmark, and Norway until 1700; and England until 1752).

According to the Julian Calendar, the new year happened on approximately April 1st, shortly after the vernal equinox. Those that celebrated the new year on April 1st were called fools. Hence the name.

Along with being called fools, the April new year suckers also were targeted with other pranks and games to see just how gullible they were, and thus was born the hijinks we see today.(I have no idea how The Onion can continue to celebrate it every single day... that's stamina!)

In conclusion... The Vatican will not declare the Pope dead until the calendar turns to April 2nd in Italy (3pm PST.)