April Fools Day goes back to the 1350s when Pope Gregory XI faked his death for a week before re-emerging and shocking the Roman Curia, who were at that point assembling a conclave to pick a new pope… on April 1. He then became known as “Stultus Aprilis,” or the April Fool.
Do I have that right? Can anyone clarify or flesh out the story a bit? Thanks! I have a homework assignment on this due tomorrow!
I can neither confirm or deny that I discussed the above in any of my e-mails. It wasn’t against the law and that’s all that matters.
(Just in case I do decide to run for President)
Sounds too cool to be altogether false, to me. Go with it until somebody like Snopes calls it a lie. Would be neat though, if it were prehistoric!
Another (similar) version: 10 Greatest Internet April Fools’ Day Jokes of All Time
Absolutely 100% true.
You could also note that afterward he changed his family crest and motto to read “Tu Stultus Est”
Another twist: President William McKinley, a great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great (not sure how many “greats,” actually) nephew of Pope Gregory XI, passed an executive order making April Fools Day a federal holiday for one year, 1901.