A look back and forward to some holidays we may have missed. April

April 1^st The origin of April Fools Day is rather uncertain. However, the common belief holds that during the reformation of the calendar the date for the New Year was moved from April 1 to January 1. During that time in history, there was no television and no radio, so word spread slowly. There were also those who chose to simply ignore the change altogether and those who merely forgot. These people were considered “fools.” Invitations to non-existent parties and other practical jokes were played on them. Some suggest that the origin began with the celebrations of the Spring Equinox. While some believe it has to do a Roman festival known as Hilaria, the end of the Celtic new year.

“All Fools’ Day” is practiced in many parts of the world with practical jokes, hoaxes, and sending people on a fool’s errand. In Scotland, April Fools Day lasts 48 hours. Foolish people are called gowks, an extinct cuckoo bird. “Hunting the gowk” refers to a traditional prank played on foolish people. Day two is know as Taily Day, and pranks involving the posterior are played.

April 2 Also known as Ramazan and Ramadhaan, Ramadan commemorates the first revelation of the Holy Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and begins with the sighting of the crescent moon after a new moon. It’s observed with a month of fasting, giving alms, prayers, reading the Quran, abstaining from bad deeds, and staying humble.

In 610, Allah gave the first chapters of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. It’s told that Muhammad was alone near Mecca when the Angel Gabriel came to him. The angel told Muhammad to read but Muhammad was unable to read. The angel taught Muhammad some verses over the next ten days. These verses are known as the Holy Quran.

The last ten days of Ramadan are a time of the greatest devotion. Some Muslims spend those days in a mosque. Lailat ul-Qadr or the Night of Power is the night that the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammad. It’s generally the 27th night of the month. It’s a night of blessings and mercy from Allah, sins are forgiven, and supplications are accepted.

The end of Ramadan is a joyous occasion known as Eid al-Fitr, typically lasting three days. Muslims are not allowed to fast this day. It’s celebrated with special prayers, feasts, sweets, and gift giving. Muslims in Turkey celebrate the end of Ramadan with Seker Bayrami, The Candy Festival. New clothes are worn, gifts are given, and families gather at the home of the eldest family member. Candy, small cakes, sweetened coffee, and fruits are served.

April 4 ands 5 The Cold Food Festival is known as the Hanshi Festival in China, the Hansik Festival in South Korea, and Tết Hàn Thực in Vietnam.

The Hanshi Festival, China. The Hanshi Festival is an ancient Chinese holiday that’s no longer celebrated. However, the activities and traditional foods have been incorporated into the Qingming Festival or Tomb-Sweeping Festival. The origin comes dates back to the 2nd century. It was taboo to start a fire during this time. During this time of year, the spring is dry, making things ignite easily. There was a ritual putting out last year’s fire for cooking, having no-fire days, and starting a new fire. The no-fire days lead to cold foods. Additional activities included visiting ancestral tombs, cockfighting, and beating blankets.

April 15 Passover or Pesach commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It’s observed from the 15th to the 22nd (eight days) of the Hebrew month of Nissan (March or April). During this time, leavened foods are avoided, and Seder meals include four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus.

After decades of slavery, God sent Moses to the Pharaoh with a message, “Send forth My people, so that they may serve Me.” The Pharaoh paid no heed to this. In return, God sent ten plagues: water into blood, frogs, lice, wild animals, diseased livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and death of the firstborn. On the eve of the last plague, the Israelites marked their doors with lambs’ blood so that the avenging angel would “pass over” each Jewish household.

Pesach, which means to pass over, refers to this passing over on what is now Passover eve. The Pharaoh finally released his former slaves, chasing them out of the land. The Israelites left in such a hurry that the bread they baked as provisions did not have time to rise.

April 17 Easter is an important religious event for Christians. They celebrate the day that Jesus rose from the dead, three days after his crucifixion. It’s the culmination of events during Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday reflects the return of Jesus to Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Christ, and Good Friday remembers the crucifixion of Jesus. Easter Sunday celebrates his resurrection after his death. Easter falls on the first Sunday on or following the spring Equinox after the full moon (March or April, occasionally slipping into May for Eastern Orthodox). The date has been calculated in this way since 325 CE.

Many non-Christians also celebrate this holiday, focusing on ancient customs and traditions as well as welcoming spring. Easter, like Christmas, is a blend of paganism and Christianity. The word Easter is derived from Eostre (also known as Ostara), an ancient Anglo-Saxon goddess. She symbolized the rebirth of the day at dawn and the rebirth of life in the spring.

Today, children wake up to find that the Easter Bunny has hidden a basket filled with candy and toys. Children colour and decorate hard-boiled eggs either on Easter or the day before. Egg hunts are popular at home as well as community egg hunts at the local park. At home, the eggs made be the hard-boiled decorated eggs or plastic eggs filled with treats. Community egg hunts typically use plastic eggs or chocolate eggs spread out in a grassy area. Easter dinner is a feast with lamb, ham, fish and spring vegetables, potatoes, and special bread. Deviled eggs are a favoured appetizer. Easter brunch is also quite popular. Christians might also attend church services.

April 22 The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. The goal was to set aside one day to look at the environment we live in, promote ecology, and bolster awareness of global air, water, and soil pollution. Today over 140 countries participate in Earth Day.

US Senator Gaylord Nelson was the driving force behind this day after seeing the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA, in 1969. Inspired by the teach-ins dealing with the Vietnam War, the first Earth Day drew 20 million participants. The American Heritage Magazine called it “one of the most remarkable happenings in the history of democracy.”

On April 22, fairs and outdoor events are held to encourage people to help our planet thrive. Individuals make special efforts to conserve water, paper, and electricity.

Take time this day to learn what you can do to conserve energy and reduce, reuse, and recycle products in your neighbourhood. Although Earth Day is celebrated once a year, we encourage you to celebrate the gifts our planet has to offer every day from the little wildflower growing outside your home to the black sand beaches of Hawaii and the majesty of the giant sequoia and redwood trees.

April 25 ANZEC Day ANZAC is an acronym for Australia, New Zealand Army Corps. ANZAC Day is a national day in Australia and New Zealand. Originally, it honoured those who fought in Gallipoli during World War I. Today, it honours all soldiers who have died in the war.

Great Britain joined the war against Germany on August 4, 1914. Australia sided with Britain and was ready to fight. In 1915, an attack was planned on Turkey through the Dardenelles with hopes of providing safe sea passage to Russia. The British Navy attacked first. They were defeated and casualties were high. Then, on April 25, 1915, the battered British soldiers, the French troops, and ANZAC stormed the shores of Gallipoli. The Turks were fierce and forewarned by the previous attack, but when the dust finally settled a foothold had been established at what is now known as the ANZAC Cove.

The two days that followed were bloody and savage as they held on to the foothold. After a brief reprieve, the fighting continued with heavy casualties on both sides. Finally, in December an evacuation was ordered.

 After eight months of fighting, ANZAC suffered a loss of 8,587 soldiers and 19,367 wounded. But with their heads held high the weary soldiers returned to Europe singing:

“We are the ragtime army the A.N.Z.A.C.

We cannot shoot, we won’t salute, what bloody use are we?”

Today, flags are flown at half-mast until noon, then they are raised high until the end of the business day. Wreaths of poppies are displayed at memorials. –During WWI the trenches could be seen across fields of brilliant poppies. Wearing a sprig of rosemary on your lapel or pinned over your heart symbolizes the commemoration of deceased soldiers.

Everyone partakes of an ANZAC biscuit or two.

ANZAC Biscuits

makes: 2-1/2 dozen

1 cup all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup shredded coconut

1 cup rolled oats

pinch of salt

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1/2 cup butter

4 tablespoon golden syrup (or dark corn syrup)

2 tablespoons water

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper. Combine flour, baking soda, sugar, coconut, oats, ginger, and salt. Melt butter in a saucepan. Remove from heat. Stir the corn syrup and water into the butter. Stir butter/syrup mixture into the dry ingredients. Drop by the spoonful on to cookie sheets about 2″ apart. Bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool.