Why April Fool’s Day?

Before 1562 April 1 was the day of the New Year observance under the Julian calendar. In 1562 Pope Gregory XIII reformed the Julian calendar into what we now call the Gregorian calendar (named after this pope). Under the Gregorian calendar January 1 is the day of the New Year observance. It took until 1578 for the new calendar to be introduced into most catholic countries.

In France between 1562 and 1578 some people were slow to adapt the calendar change. These people were called April fools. People played tricks on them to see if they would fall for the jokes. If they did they would shout out, “April fool”. The tradition took hold in the form we see it today.

Silly laws on Politics and Religion

The State of Arkansas by its Constitution bars an atheist from holding office or testifying as a witness. This may be quite silly but it is also a grave injustice to those who do not hold the religious views of the majority. Shame is upon you Arkansas for not correcting this injustice.

--Arkansas Constitution 19,1

It is illegal to use reptiles in religious services in the State of Kentucky.

--Kentucky Revised Statutes 437.060

In California the appellate court held that a city may discharge a school bus driver who believes in the religious sacrifice of children. Oh that really needed to be hashed out in court all the way to the appellate court. Is nothing too self-evident not to require it to waste the time of the court?

--Hollon v. Pierce 257 app 2d 468

You can vomit, defecate and urinate on the Confederate flag in Florida unless it is for crass purposes.

-- Florida Statutes 256.10

It is illegal to dance to the Star Spangled Banner in Michigan.

--Michigan Compiled Laws 750.542

Silly Animal Laws

Possessing more than one bear gallbladder is illegal in California.

--California Fish and Game Code 4758

In California to exhibit a pig requires a health certificate.

--California Food and Agriculture Code 10721

In California it is illegal to abuse an elephant. I am not sure about smaller animals.

--California Penal Code 596.5

Every bull, while grazing in open range, must do so in the company of 30 or more cows in California. No lonely bulls in California I can tell you.

-- California Food and Agriculture Code 16233

In Arizona a horse can also be an ass, a mule, or a burro. People can also be an ass.

--Arizona Revised Statutes 3-2121

Silly Food Laws

In Arizona there is a Veggie Hate Crimes Act. Farmers and Shippers in Arizona can sue for the malicious spreading of false information about Arizona food products.
--Arisona Revised Statutes 3-113

In New Mexico it is illegal to sell imitation honey.
--New Mexico Statutes 25-9-3

In Maryland it is illegal for a bar to offer free food.
--Code of Maryland 12-106

In New Jersey a license is required if you want to be in a business to break eggs. I wonder if egg breaking is big business in New Jersey.
--New Jersey Statutes 24:11-1