Happy New Year! 1 April!

 When does the new year begin?  Is it January 1 or April 1?    

 

For centuries, each new year began on April 1,

The day designated by the Julian Calendar developed by Julius Caesar in 46 BC.    Eight day New Year's celebrations started on March 25 and ended with large parties on April 1.   In 1582, however, Pope Gregory XIII moved New Year's Day to January 1.  He issued a papal bull requiring everyone to follow his system known as the Gregorian Calendar.

     Was the world ready for such a big change?  

Citizens in predominantly Catholic countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Italy obeyed Pope Gregory XIII and began to celebrate January 1 as the first day of a new year.  

Protesters who disagreed with pope's decision insisted on keeping April 1 as the date for their new year's celebrations.  When these protesters took to the streets to dance, sing, and shout on April 1, they were called April Fools for having new year celebrations on what many believed to be the wrong day.  

 

 https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/477909162829544714/8817277520741670165