Today belongs to the pranksters.
April 1st has long been known as April Fools’ Day, but when did this day of tricking people become a thing and why? The origins are traced back to 1500s in France, according to the History Channel and a Library of Congress report.
Historians believe the day came into existence when France implemented the Gregorian calendar, according to the History Channel. Previously, the French used the Julian calendar when each year began on the spring equinox, which usually fell near April 1.
However, under the Gregorian calendar, the new year started Jan. 1. Many in France were not aware of the calendar change and continued to celebrate the new year around April 1. Those people were considered the “butt of jokes and hoaxes” and were named “April fools,” according to the History Channel.
Another tale of the day’s origin comes from a 1651 poem, according to a USA Today article. The poems is about a nobleman sending his servant on “fool’s errands” on April 1, according to a history of the holiday written by Stephen Winick of the Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center.
April Fools’ Day was part of American culture by the 19th century, according to the Encyclopedia of American Folklore.
It’s April Fools’ Day
Not April’s Fool Day, April Fool’s Day or April Fool Day.
When is April Fools’ Day?
March 31st every year.
Has Easter ever fallen on April Fools’ Day?
Yes.
The two have taken place on the same date several times, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In the past century or so, Easter landed on April Fools’ Day in 1923, 1934, 1945, 1956 and 2018.
The next year this will happen is 2029.
Brands, celebrities celebrate April Fools’ Day
The rise of social media has increased the attention to April Fools’ pranks in recent years, especially with brands and celebrities.
One year Dunkin’ announced a name change to Donuts’ and actor Chris Pratt declared he would voice Mickey Mouse in an upcoming Disney film. Last year 7-Eleven hinted at a prank hot-dog flavored bottled water.
Many still talk about an April Fools Day prank from 1957 pulled off by producers of a BBC news program. They tried to convince viewers that spaghetti was harvested from trees in Italy and Switzerland. Spaghetti was not widely known in England, and reportedly some viewers contacted the BBC to find out how they could buy a spaghetti tree.
By the way, did you catch our April Fools’ Day prank? The day is celebrated April 1, not March 31 as previously stated in this article.
Spitzer is a Trending Reporter. She can be reached at MSpitzer@Floridatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Did someone pull a fast one on you today? How did April Fools’ Day get started and why?
Reporting by Michelle Spitzer, Florida Today / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
