Spring Break
Celebrate all the craziness of April Fool's Day
Sarah Paeth
Issue date: 4/1/09 Section: Forum
OSU officials announced last Tuesday that Benny the Beaver, the official mascot of Oregon State University since 1910 and current face of Beaver Nation, will undergo changes to become Rhonda the Rodent as of September 2009.
The change in mascots was implemented by a radical student group wishing not only for the mascot to be politically correct - the beaver is the largest rodent in North America - but also to promote feminism by sporting a female name.
"OSU may not make as much money in the merchandising department with the new mascot, but I think that's hardly important," stated the president of the radical group.
April Fools! Don't worry; Benny isn't going anywhere.
Whether you've been faked out with false vomit or wore a "Kick Me" sign all day, we've all fallen victim to an April Fool's Day prank.
How did this day even start? According to april-fools.us, the most probable derivation of April Fool's Day points back to France in the year 1582. Prior to that time, the New Year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25 and finishing on the first of April.
When Charles IX began his rule, he changed the calendar system to the Gregorian Calendar, which pushed back New Year's Day to January 1. Since news traveled slowly, it took several years for some celebrators to get the memo that the New Year's celebration had been pushed back three months. Those who still believed New Year's to be celebrated on April 1 suffered much ridicule and were deemed "fools." The fools endured many tricks, often being sent invitations to nonexistent parties and having other practical jokes played on them.
The mockery and mayhem that evolved from the April fools stuck, eventually being carried over to the American colonies after the traditions were spread to Scotland and Britain in the 18th century.
Today, every country celebrates this holiday slightly differently. For example, Scotland observes April Fool's Day for two days; the second day is called Taily Day and is devoted entirely to pranks concerning the rear end - hence the origin of the infamous "Kick Me" sign.
The change in mascots was implemented by a radical student group wishing not only for the mascot to be politically correct - the beaver is the largest rodent in North America - but also to promote feminism by sporting a female name.
"OSU may not make as much money in the merchandising department with the new mascot, but I think that's hardly important," stated the president of the radical group.
April Fools! Don't worry; Benny isn't going anywhere.
Whether you've been faked out with false vomit or wore a "Kick Me" sign all day, we've all fallen victim to an April Fool's Day prank.
How did this day even start? According to april-fools.us, the most probable derivation of April Fool's Day points back to France in the year 1582. Prior to that time, the New Year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25 and finishing on the first of April.
When Charles IX began his rule, he changed the calendar system to the Gregorian Calendar, which pushed back New Year's Day to January 1. Since news traveled slowly, it took several years for some celebrators to get the memo that the New Year's celebration had been pushed back three months. Those who still believed New Year's to be celebrated on April 1 suffered much ridicule and were deemed "fools." The fools endured many tricks, often being sent invitations to nonexistent parties and having other practical jokes played on them.
The mockery and mayhem that evolved from the April fools stuck, eventually being carried over to the American colonies after the traditions were spread to Scotland and Britain in the 18th century.
Today, every country celebrates this holiday slightly differently. For example, Scotland observes April Fool's Day for two days; the second day is called Taily Day and is devoted entirely to pranks concerning the rear end - hence the origin of the infamous "Kick Me" sign.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Be the first to comment on this story
Comments by registered users are approved by default.