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Happy April Fools Day.
April Fool's Day is an annual custom on April 1 that consists of practical jokes and hoaxes. Although the origins of April Fools’ is unknown, there are many theories surrounding it. One of the more famous accounts is that in 1565, King Charles IX of France issued a decree to change the beginning of the year to January 1, changing the previous tradition of celebrating New Year on April 1. Some of the old guard opposed the reform and still celebrated the New Year by giving New Year's gifts on April 1 of the new calendar according to the old law. Supporters of the New Year's reform took this opportunity to make fun of the old guard by giving them fake gifts and inviting them to fake parties on that day. From then on, the habit of poking fun at people on April 1 spread. When someone was fooled, the trickster would shout "Poisson d'avril" (April fish).
Many people want to use April Fool's Day to make jokes for everyone, but sometimes the atmosphere of excessive drama can be devastating. For instance, the 1946 ‘April Fool’s Tsunami’ was sadly no joke.
On April 1, 1946, the large wave generated by an earthquake raced south at five hundred miles per hour through the Pacific unannounced. Without warning, the initial wave rushed in and quickly receded, draining the bay. Boats and flopping fish were left stranded in the bay until six additional waves in succession swept into the bay with devastating effect. The waves reaching over 30 feet and as much as 50 feet destroyed large portions of the city of Hilo and took as many as 159 lives.
Hawaiians have dubbed the 1946 tsunami as the “April Fools Tsunami” as many thought the reports of the tsunami was an April Fool’s practical joke.
The tsunami would travel further south and damage boats as far south as Chile.
(https://alaska-native-news.com/the-1946-april-fools-tsunami-was-no-joke/41063/)
We also experienced Easter last month, which is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Christian religion. People distributed easter bunnies and eggs, and kids hunted for them. According to statistics, Americans spend $1.9 billion on Easter candy. That’s the second biggest candy holiday after Halloween.
This month, the weather is starting to warm up and get cold again. Down jackets are also being put on and taken off. As I walk home from school, I start to think about summer vacation, the summer that is so far away from now that my memories are blurred. Of course, I have already started to arrange my summer vacation, and the scent of spring in the air is promising me hope.
See you in next month’s newsletter.
Xiaojun Huang