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'''April Fool's Day''' is the first day of [[April]] and is known for practical [[joke]]s.  The custom is believed to have originated in [[France]] in 1564 when [[New Year's Day]] was changed from April 1st to January 1st.  Those continuing to observe April 1st were ridiculed.

'''April Fool's Day''' is the first day of [[April]] and is known for practical jokes.  The custom is believed to have originated in [[France]] in 1564 when [[New Year's Day]] was changed from April 1st to January 1st.  Those continuing to observe April 1st were ridiculed.

The apologists [[Ray Comfort]] and Grady Scott have suggested that April 1st should be '''National Atheist Day''', in reference Psalm 14:1, which states "The fool hath said in his heart, 'There is no God'."<ref name=Comfort>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/former-atheist-activist-patrick-greene-responds-to-critics-72768/|title=Former Atheist Activist Patrick Greene Responds to Critics|date=9 April 2012|publisher=The Christian Post|accessdate=1 April 2013|quote=He also once threatened to sue "180" film creator and open-air preacher Ray Comfort for a bumper sticker produced by Comfort's ministry that suggested April Fool's Day should also be called "National Atheist's Day."}}</ref><ref name=Scott>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianlibrary.org/authors/Grady_Scott/atheistday.htm|title=National Atheist's Day|year=2000|publisher=The Christian Library|accessdate=1 April 2013|quote=But what better day could one pick for National Atheists Day than April 1st, April Fools Day? The Bible makes this clear. "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good" (Psalm 14:1). The Bible says that anyone who denies God is a fool!}}</ref>

==Origins==

It is believed that the tradition of April Fool's arose around 1582 in France, during King Charles IX's reign, when the calender switched from the Julian, to the Gregorian.

==Well Known April Fool's Pranks==

==Well Known April Fool's Pranks==

*The BBC "Panorama" documentary about the "Swiss Spaghetti Harvest", including discussion of the Spaghetti Weevil <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/1/newsid_2819000/2819261.stm</ref>

*The BBC "Panorama" documentary about the "Swiss Spaghetti Harvest", including discussion of the Spaghetti Weevil <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/1/newsid_2819000/2819261.stm</ref>

* A number of technology and internet based corporations such as [[Google]] routinely carryout such pranks by announcing fanciful new inventions on April the 1st. <ref>http://www.google.com/landing/nose Google April Fools Day Announcement 2013</ref>

* A number of technology and internet based corporations such as [[Google]] routinely carryout such pranks by announcing fanciful new inventions on April the 1st. <ref>http://www.google.com/landing/nose Google April Fools Day Announcement 2013</ref> <ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/google-hulu-pull-their-usual-april-fools-pranks/2013/04/01/7c09ede4-9abf-11e2-a941-a19bce7af755_story.html</ref>

 

 

* Automotive Manufacturers routinely announce new ''models'' on April the First. <ref>https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CEUQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nickburcher.com%2F2012%2F04%2Fbmw-april-fools-day-2012-ad-bmw.html&ei=Va5ZUZuRE46hiAfMtYGICQ&usg=AFQjCNFtdRzB6fXEmojpZDobAC1BwUi5oQ&bvm=bv.44442042,d.aGc BWW April Fools</ref>

''See also:'' [[Atheism and holidays]]

== Sources ==

The apologists [[Ray Comfort]] and Grady Scott have suggested that April 1st should be '''International Atheist Day''', in reference [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+14%3A1&version=KJV Psalm 14:1], which states "The fool hath said in his heart, 'There is no God'."<ref name=Comfort>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/former-atheist-activist-patrick-greene-responds-to-critics-72768/|title=Former Atheist Activist Patrick Greene Responds to Critics|date=9 April 2012|publisher=The Christian Post|accessdate=1 April 2013|quote=He also once threatened to sue "180" film creator and open-air preacher Ray Comfort for a bumper sticker produced by Comfort's ministry that suggested April Fool's Day should also be called "National Atheist's Day."}}</ref><ref name=Scott>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianlibrary.org/authors/Grady_Scott/atheistday.htm|title=National Atheist's Day|year=2000|publisher=The Christian Library|accessdate=1 April 2013|quote=But what better day could one pick for National Atheists Day than April 1st, April Fools Day? The Bible makes this clear. "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good" (Psalm 14:1). The Bible says that anyone who denies God is a fool!}}</ref>

 

== Bibliography ==

* The New American Desk Encyclopedia, Penguin Group, 1989

* The New American Desk Encyclopedia, Penguin Group, 1989

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/aprilfool/P0/ Top 100 April Fool's Pranks]

*[http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/aprilfool/P0/ Top 100 April Fool's Pranks]

*[http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Atheism/fools_day.htm April 1st — National Atheist's Day by David J. Stewart]

*[http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Atheism/fools_day.htm April 1st — National Atheist's Day by David J. Stewart]

{{Atheism}}

{{Nb Atheism}}

[[Category: Customs]]

[[Category: Customs]]

[[Category:Holidays]]

[[Category:Holidays]]