April Calendar

The name April is derived from the Latin word aprilis meaning “to open.” The first day of April is celebrated as April Fools’ Day. April Fools’ Day was first observed in France when that country became the first to adopt the Julian calendar. Until then the new year celebration was on April 1. When New Year’s Day was changed to January 1, some people still celebrated it on April 1, and these people came to be known as April fools. On that day people play jokes on each other, and any person who is tricked is called an April fool. In France such a victim is called an April fish and in Scotland an April gawk.

April 6, 1830: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized.

April 7, 1829: Joseph Smith began translation of the Book of Mormon.

April 15, 1846: “Come, Come, Ye Saints” composed by William Clayton.

April 18, 1853: LDS missionaries arrived to open South African Mission.

April 24, 1853: First branch of the Church organized in Sweden.

April 26, 1853: First LDS missionaries arrived in Hong Kong, China.

YAD ’SLOOF LIRPA: April 1.

Washington Irving: American author. Born April 3, 1873.

William Wordsworth: English poet. Born April 7, 1770.

Leonardo da Vinci: Italian artist and inventor. Born April 15, 1452.

Marie and Pierre Curie: French scientists discover radium April 20, 1902.

Tony Sarg: German illustrator and puppet maker. Born April 24, 1882.

Photo courtesy of the New-York Historical Society, New York City