April Birthday Facts and Trivia

Some months are named after gods, while others are named for an act or placement on the calendar. The origin of "April" seems to be about order and awakening."Aprilis" apparently translates to "the second month" in Latin, which is where April originally was in the line-up of months on the Roman calendar until around 700 BC when January and February were added. Another Latin explanation of the month's name comes from the word "aperire," meaning "to open," which alludes to the onset of spring and blossoming flowers opening up.

April Birthstone: Diamond

• What I want to know is who paid off the "tradition makers" in order to nab a diamond as the birthstone for this month! Diamonds seem to be everyone's best friend (not only girls as the song goes), as both men and women can sport the stone with style and indifference to its appropriateness for one sex over the other.
• The natural process of diamond formation is quite fascinating. Diamonds are made from carbon dioxide that is way down deep in the Earth and heated to about 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit. The molecules are squeezed under the pressure of 725,000 pounds per square inch and the they quickly pop up to the Earth's surface to cool into the radiant "ice" that sparkles on rings, pendants, and in a pave' pattern on celeb's cell phones.

April Zodiac Signs: Aries and Taurus

• The two Zodiac signs for the month of April are Aries (@February 18 to April 19) and Taurus (April 19 to May 20).
• Aries is symbolized by a ram and starts the Zodiac circle as the first astrological sign. Those whose birthdays fall under this fire sign are said to be adventurous, resilient, courageous and sometimes moody.
• A bull is the icon for the Earth sign Taurus. Patience, reliability, and determination are some of the virtues bestowed upon those born under the sign along with a jealous streak and perhaps a bit of self-indulgence and greed.
• Zodiac sign characteristics are great conversation starters and may even describe some of the qualities of those born under the sign, but a few adjectives can hardly encompass one's entire personality. Take it in stride, laugh, and live your life, afterall, it's your birthday!

April Fun Facts:

• April Fools' Day is April 1stt! Before the 1560s, April 1st was New Years Day throughout Europe. The calendar changed to what we now use, but those who still celebrated New Years Day on April 1 were dubbed "April Fools." The "fools" were teased and a target for practical jokes, hence the pranks that are played on April 1st in modern times like putting salt in the sugar bowl and similar Tomfoolery!
• Mexico's April Fools' Day falls on December 28. The day was originally a somber occasion in observance of the innocent children slain by King Herod, and then evolved into a day of trickery similar to the U.S.A.
• Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day is on the fourth Thusday in April each year where parents take their kids to work for the day as an educational experience.
• April is Humor Month, National Poetry Month, and National Grilled Cheese Month in the United States.
• April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day.
• April 15th is Tax Day in the United States!
• April 1 kicks off the Japanese fiscal year with some companies hosting Nyushashiki, a new employee entry ceremony of sorts for recent graduates joining the company.
• April and July start on the same day of the week each year and January in leap years.

Feel free to leave an April fact as a comment on this article!