All Fools’ Day on April 1 is traditionally filled with pranks, jokes and good-natured deception. However, the origins of this day of trickery are shrouded in mystery, with several competing theories attempting to explain how a day devoted to hoaxes came to be.
One of the most popular theories traces April Fools’ Day back to 16th-century France. In 1582, France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar under the decree of Pope Gregory XIII.
Under the Julian calendar, the new year was celebrated around the end of March, aligning with the arrival of spring. However, with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s Day officially moved to Jan. 1.
Not everyone was immediately aware of the change, especially in rural areas, and some people continued to celebrate the new year in late March or early April. Those who were slow to adopt the new calendar were mocked and labeled as “April fools” and were subject to tricks, including having paper fish stuck to their backs which symbolized their gullibility, likening them to easily caught fish. This tradition is still celebrated in France today, where April 1 is known as “Poisson d’Avril” or “April Fish.”
Another possible origin of April Fools’ Day is linked to ancient Roman traditions. The festival of Hilaria, celebrated in late March, was a day of merriment and deception where people disguised themselves in costumes and played tricks on one another.
The similarities between Hilaria and modern April Fools’ festivities suggest that the tradition of pranking may have a much older foundation than the French. It is also possible that the word “hilarious” comes from the festival.
In England and Scotland, April Fools’ Day gained popularity in the 18th century, evolving into a two-day event in Scotland known as “Huntigowk Day.” The first day was dedicated to sending people on absurd errands, similar to the modern-day concept of a “fool’s errand,” while the second day, known as “Tailie Day,” involved pinning humorous signs or fake tails onto people’s backs.
As time progressed, April Fools’ Day spread across the world and was embraced by various cultures as a day for lighthearted deception. The invention of mass media further amplified the holiday’s reach. Newspapers, radio stations and television networks began participating in the fun, publishing false stories to dupe their audiences.
One of the most famous media hoaxes occurred in 1957 when the BBC aired a segment about Swiss farmers harvesting spaghetti from trees, fooling many viewers into believing pasta grew naturally.
While its exact origins remain uncertain, April Fools’ Day’s enduring popularity speaks to the universal appeal of humor and playful trickery.
So, if you find yourself the victim of a well-planned prank this April 1, just remember you’re part of a centuries-old tradition of good-natured mischief.
And that’s no joke.