The 2009 Rex Parade:
“All Fool’s Day”
Float 21
Cecilia
All Fool’s Day
• In the past, New Years was
celebrated on March 25
and ended on April 1.
• But in 1582, King Charles
IX made a Gregorian
calendar to replace the
old Julian Calendar.
• After the replacement of
the old calendar, New
Years was celebrated on
the 1st of January.
History
• All Fool’s Day began in
the year 1582 in France.
• All Fool’s Day in French
is called, “Poisson
d’Avril,” or “April Fish.”
• The people were known as
“April Fools” because
they either refused to
accept the new calendar
or didn’t learn about it.
• So they continued to
celebrate New Year on
April 1.
Enjoying Practical
Jokes
• On this particular day,
people usually tell
funny jokes and pull
pranks on each other.
• The “victim” will soon
become known as an
April Fool.
Bibliography
• "April Fools Day."
Http://www.thefoolsday.com/. 03 Feb. 2009.
• "April Fools' Day: Origin and History."
Infoplease. 2008. 03 Feb. 2009.
• "April Fool's Day History." April Fools.
2009. 03 Feb. 2009.
• "April Fool's Day." KU Medical Center. 03
Feb. 2009.
“His Majesty’s
Royal Calliope”
Float # 14a
Amy
His Majesty’s Royal
Calliope
• Calliope was the
eldest of the Muses.
• She was the goddess
of music, song, and
dances.
• Calliope was the
mother of Orpheus
and daughter of Zeus.
“Steam Piano”
• The Calliope is also
known as a “Steam
Piano.”
• It was often played on
riverboats and in
circuses.
• The last steamboat in
New Orleans is called
Miss Hawley, but
everyone calls her
“Doc.”
The Streets
• There is a street in New
Orleans called Calliope .
• In fact, nine New Orleans
streets were named after the
Greek Muses: Calliope, Clio,
Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene,
Polymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia
and Urania.
• The locals pronounce the
names differently, though. Mel-
po-meen instead of Mel-pom-
uh-knee, Terp-sih-core instead
of Terp-sick-oree, Kal-eee-ope
instead of Kuh-lie-oh-pee..
Bibliography
• "Theoi Greek Mythology." Theoi greek
mythology. 2008. 03 Feb. 2009.
• "The calliope on the steamboat Natchez."
Nola.com. 2009. 03 Feb. 2009.