what used to be celebrated before april fools day
http://www.april-fools.us/history-april-fools.htm
Before April Fools' Day, various cultures and civilizations have celebrated similar events or festivals that involve humor, tricks, or mischievous behavior. While these celebrations may not be directly connected to April Fools' Day, they share some common elements.
1. Roman Festival of Hilaria: The Romans celebrated the "Hilaria" festival on March 25th, where people would dress in disguises and engage in joyful festivities. It marked the resurrection of the god Attis and was a day of jokes and merriment.
2. Holi: In India, the festival of Holi, celebrated in March, involves people playing pranks, spraying colorful powders and water, and generally engaging in playful mischief.
3. Feast of Fools: During the medieval period in Europe, between Christmas and New Year's Day, a celebration called the Feast of Fools took place. This event involved role reversals, where lower-ranking individuals would temporarily hold positions of authority and engage in playful and sometimes irreverent behavior.
While not specifically preceding April Fools' Day, these historical celebrations demonstrate a long-standing tradition of humor, pranks, and mischief in various cultures. April Fools' Day as we know it today has its own unique origins and has become a global day of light-hearted hoaxes and practical jokes.