History Records the Era of FOOLS
The Teenager Today|April 2021
Thankfully, 2021 has emerged from the containment of the pandemic scourge to offer us a vision of optimistic hope and better health.
IRWIN ALMEIDA
History Records the Era of FOOLS

So, we have commenced the year as usual with the month of January, named after the Roman god Janus, then moved on to a short February, followed by a long March, then on to April, named after the word aperire which means “to open” — this is the month when the flower buds open. Then comes the hot summer and its simmering May we have to put up with, before the cooling showers of June, July and August, and then again the tolerable heat of September, October before November heralds the winter that takes us to the finale of December.

In this calendar journey, we cannot overlook one of the most lighthearted days of the year — April Fools’ Day, celebrated in many countries, particularly in the West, on April 1. It marks the day when hoaxes, as well as practical jokes, are played on people. The April Fool’s Day tradition appears to have started in France in the 16th century, when King Charles IX decided to make the year 1564 only nine months long and ordered January 1 to be New Year’s Day instead of April 1, as had been the custom.

Many theories are put forward for its origin. But the theory about its being linked to the reform of the Gregorian calendar in the late 16th century is thought to be the most widely accepted. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar — the Gregorian Calendar — to replace the old Julian Calendar, for use throughout Christendom. The new calendar called for New Year’s Day to be celebrated on January 1 instead of the usual April 1.

Denne historien er fra April 2021-utgaven av The Teenager Today.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra April 2021-utgaven av The Teenager Today.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE TEENAGER TODAYSe alt
STICKING OUT YOUR NECK!
The Teenager Today

STICKING OUT YOUR NECK!

Maybe it's having the twins, my grandsons from New York, back home again, that reminded me of a conversation I had with them a couple of monsoons ago: \"What's that?\" asked one of them pointing to a huge shell on the ground.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
Hippos can get airborne while running fast
The Teenager Today

Hippos can get airborne while running fast

Hippos weigh up to two tonnes, but these bulky creatures can go airborne for a period of time.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
Tree bark plays a vital role in removing methane from the atmosphere
The Teenager Today

Tree bark plays a vital role in removing methane from the atmosphere

Trees are known for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thus benefiting the climate. New research shows that they offer one more benefit.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
Lunar caves could shelter astronauts on the moon
The Teenager Today

Lunar caves could shelter astronauts on the moon

Scientists have found an underground cave on the moon not far from where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed 55 years ago.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
Manasi Joshi
The Teenager Today

Manasi Joshi

The Para-Badminton World Champion

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
International Day of Peace
The Teenager Today

International Day of Peace

In Search of Non-violence and Cease-fire

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
Non-Violent Communication
The Teenager Today

Non-Violent Communication

How to cope with conflict situations

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
FR ALOYSIUS G. REGO
The Teenager Today

FR ALOYSIUS G. REGO

A short-statured bearded figure glancing through a pair of spectacles, cane in hand, and head swinging with every step, was the most feared figure in the galleries of our school, St. Joseph's Collegiate, Allahabad.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
The Architects of the Future
The Teenager Today

The Architects of the Future

As we celebrate Teachers' Day on 5 September, students from St Charles School, Santacruz East, Mumbai, have come together to share their thoughts and perspectives on the challenges that teachers face in today's rapidly-changing educational landscape.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
JUNG & KOOK
The Teenager Today

JUNG & KOOK

With music, stories and news of K-pop all over the place, on Instagram, Twitter, Thread and other social media platforms, and dozens of boy and girl bands emerging from South Korea, believe me when I say that K-pop is irresistible.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024