April Mapletogian
Origins of April Fools Day
By Eli Fisher
The beginnings of what is arguably the worlds most fun holiday dates back a long way and is mysterious. One common theory is that when the western world switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian, people got confused with the dates of New Years. The Julian calendar places the new year on March 25, but, due to a conflict of holidays, it was celebrated April 1st. After the switch, people who forgot and celebrated the New Year April 1st instead of January 1st were called April fools, says this theory.
Another one is that Noah sent the first animal, a crow, out of his ark on April 1, and it did not return. April 1 is shortly after the vernal equinox, and some people connect it with that. Some others think it is connected to the arrival of spring.
However it originated, everyone loves making pranks on April Fools Day, especially the media. One of the best pranks ever was on a British TV show in 1957. It talked about the spring being early that year, and how that prompted the spaghetti harvest to come early also. In Britain, spaghetti is not as widely eaten as in the USA, and hundreds of people called to ask about where they could get spaghetti plants.
Coffee House
Announcement
8th Grade WINS GOLD!!!
On top of the 8th grade orchestra receiving a gold rating at NYSSMA Majors, the Chamber Orchestra club just received a superior rating at the Music in the Parks competition. They were the highest rated orchestra to play! GREAT JOB!
"Calling all aspiring actors, actresses, musicians, poets, magicians, and comedians: The Second Annual Maple Avenue Coffeehouse will be holding auditions after school on Thursday, March 6th or Friday, May 7th in room 125. If you would like to audition for a five-minute performance slot for the coffeehouse, please sign up outside room 125. All houses and grade levels are welcome. The final performance is Thursday, June 3rd in the Maple Avenue Media Center. Start practicing now for your audition! If you have questions, please see Miss McNamara or Ms. Karas. Good luck!"
Dress for Success at Maple
On Tuesday, May 4th Maple Avenue Middle School library was transformed into a Human Resource office. All Hathorn 8th graders dressed for success and came fully prepared with final resumes in hand ready and willing to participate in mock job interviews. Students were prepared to answer tough questions like, What is your greatest strength & weakness? and also, why should we hire you over a more qualified candidate? Teachers, aides and administration from Blue Streak business offices helped out by acting as the perspective employer ready to hire. Students were able to walk away with confidence and maintain knowledge towards their real life interviews up and coming. For some of these 8th graders that job is just right around the corner.
The History of Cinco de Mayo
By: Liam Madigan
Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday that commemorates the Mexican militia victory over the French at the battle of Puebla in 1862. This holiday is primarily a regional holiday celebrated throughout the state of Mexico. The battle of Puebla happened after Mexico had gained freedom from Spain; Mexico owed heavy debts to other nations including Spain, France, and England. France used these debts to try to take power over Mexico. When the other nations (Spain and England) realized Frances intentions they withdrew their support. After Mexico finally stopped making loan payments, France took action in trying to make Archduke Maximilian of Austria ruler of Mexico.
The French invaded at the Gulf of Mexico along the state of Veracruz. Although President Lincoln felt sympathy for Mexico and wanted to help them, America was in a civil war of its own at the time, so they could not help Mexico.
As France marched on they encountered a very strong resistance near Puebla. A small army of 4,500 Mexican soldiers that were barely armed were able to defeat an army of well armed French soldiers. This was a glorious moment for Mexico and is the reason for Cinco de Mayo in Mexico.
Unfortunately, this victory gave Maximilian an excuse to send over m ore French troops to Mexico, and a full year later the French had taken over Mexico and had installed Maximilian as ruler of Mexico. Maximilian`s rule was short lived, though. America was now out of its Civil War Battle, and they started providing more support to Mexico. Mexico was eventually able to expel the French and regained its freedom.
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