April Fools Day!

April Fools' Day is an annual celebration on April 1st that has been observed for centuries. Its exact origins are unknown, but it involves playing practical jokes or hoaxes on others and announcing them with the phrase "April Fools!"

The Theories

One theory suggests that April Fools' Day dates back to 1582 when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The people who did not know,

about the change, continued to celebrate the new year in late March became the target of pranks and were called "April fools." These pranks included sticking paper fish on their backs, symbolizing that they are easily caught fish and gullible individuals.

Another theory links April Fools' Day to the ancient Roman festival called Hilaria, where people would dress in disguises and mock others. This festival was inspired by the Egyptian legend of Isis, Osiris, and Seth. Additionally, there is speculation that the unpredictable weather of the vernal equinox, the first day of spring, may have contributed to the association of tricks and foolery with April.

The Jokes

During the 18th century, April Fools' Day became popular in Britain, with Scotland extending the celebration to a two-day event. Pranks such as sending people on phony errands or playing jokes involving their derrieres became common during this time.

In modern times, the media has played a significant role in creating elaborate April Fools' Day jokes. Newspapers, radio, TV stations, and websites have all participated in reporting outrageous fictional claims to fool their audiences. For example, the BBC once reported on record spaghetti crops in Switzerland, and Sports Illustrated published a fictional article about a pitcher named Sidd Finch who could throw over 168 miles per hour.

Big brands have also joined in on the fun. Taco Bell announced it had purchased Philadelphia's Liberty Bell and planned to rename it the Taco Liberty Bell. Burger King advertised a "Left-Handed Whopper," leading customers to request the fake sandwich. Google is known for its annual April Fools' Day pranks, which have included features like telepathic search and playing Pac Man on Google Maps.

For everyday pranksters, classic April Fools' Day tricks include wrapping the toilet with plastic wrap or swapping sugar and salt containers.

The Eclipse

On Monday, a total solar eclipse will occur, allowing people in North America to experience the temporary darkening of the afternoon sky as the moon blocks the sun. The eclipse's path will cross Mexico, fifteen American states, and a small part of eastern Canada. The rest of America will be able to see a partial solar eclipse, where the moon covers part of the

sun's light. Solar eclipses happen when the sun, moon, and Earth align, causing the moon to cast a shadow on Earth by blocking the sun's light.

A total solar eclipse only occurs when there is a new moon. The rarity of a total eclipse is due to the fact that the moon's orbit is tilted and does not align perfectly with Earth's orbit around the sun. The eclipse will be visible in certain states such as Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, as well as parts of Canada including southern Ontario and Cape Breton. People outside the direct path of the eclipse can still participate by watching a partial solar eclipse or a NASA livestream.

During the total solar eclipse, there are several interesting phenomena to observe. As the eclipse progresses, the sky will darken, and the sun's atmosphere will create an illuminated halo known as the "diamond ring effect." Baily's beads, tiny beads of light created by the moon's terrain, will also be visible briefly. When the moon fully blocks the sun, eclipse glasses can be removed to view the total solar eclipse with the naked eye. If conditions are right, it may even be possible to see the "devil comet," Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, near Jupiter during the eclipse. While most people may not notice the eclipse, those who are aware and looking for it can witness this rare and special event.

Safety

It is very important to view a solar eclipse safely to avoid damaging your eyes. Regular sunglasses are not safe for your eyes so you will need special eclipse glasses or pinhole projectors. Eclipse glasses are much darker than normal sunglasses and are designed specifically for safe viewing during celestial events. It is important not to look at the sun through binoculars, telescopes, or camera lenses without proper solar filters. However, during the short period of totality when the moon fully blocks the sun, it is safe to look directly with the naked eye.

To protect against counterfeit eclipse glasses, one should ensure that the lenses have a silver appearance on the front and are black on the inside. The manufacturer's name, address, and the ISO logo with the code "IS 12312-2" should also be included.

Easter

The celebration of Easter commemorates the resurrection of Christ. Easter is also known as Pascha or Resurrection Sunday. Originally the celebration began around the Jewish Passover. In modern times we celebrate with the Easter bunny, Easter egg hunts, and Easter baskets. "According to The Reckoning of Time, an eighth century manuscript written by English monk and scholar Venerable Bede, many people held feasts in Eostre's honor. She was depicted cradling a woven basket in the crook of her arm. Thus, was the beginning of the Easter basket tradition." As we celebrate with candy and fun we should also think of the true meaning of Easter.