This yearly event is celebrated all around the world, with pranksters taking centre stage and those tricks being left perplexed.
Although it has just become a part of popular culture, April Fools’ Day or All Fools’ Day has a long history.Let’s explore the intriguing origins of April Fools’ Day.
History and Origin of April Fools’ Day
The precise origin of April Fools’ Day remains unknown, but there are several theories.
The French Calendar Change (16th Century)
One theory claims that April Fools’ Day originated in France in the 16th century, when New Year’s festivities began on March 25 and ended on April 1. Some individuals either did not hear about the change or refused to accept it when France switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1582, which moved the start of the new year to January 1.
These people continued to celebrate New Year’s in late March and early April, which led to insults and mockery directed at them. They were sent on ‘fool’s errands’ or had paper fish (called ‘Poisson d’Avril’) stuck to their backs.The Canterbury Tales (1392)
Geoffrey Chaucer’s ‘The Canterbury Tales’ (1392) contains one of the earliest possible references to April 1 as a day of folly. The fox in ‘Nun’s Priest’s Tale’ tricks conceited cock Chauntecleer, “Since March began, full 30 days and two,” meaning the thirty-second day after March 1st, which is April 1st.
However, scholars counter that this might have been a copying error or a misreading. Contemporary academics believe Chaucer actually wrote, “Syn March was gon.” In that case, they claim that the text would have originally meant May 2, 32 days after March.
First Citation in Literature (1561)
The Flemish author Eduard de Dene’s poem from 1561, which describes a nobleman sending his servant on ridiculous errands—an early form of pulling practical jokes on April 1st—contains one of the first obvious literary allusions to April Fools’ Day.
Tower of London Prank (1698)
For the first time in British history, John Aubrey gave the event the name ‘Fools’ holy day’ in 1686. They deceived a number of people into going to the Tower of London to “see the Lions washed” on April 1, 1698.
Genesis flood narrative
The Genesis flood story, where Noah unintentionally sent out a dove before the floodwaters had subsided, is believed to be connected to April Fools’ Day. But no biblical or historical expert has substantiated this assertion.
Several historians believe that April Fools’ Day is often associated with the change of the seasons. Laughter, mischief, and fun are common elements of spring festivities in many cultures, including the Jewish holiday of Purim, the Indian festival of Holi, and the Roman holiday of Hilaria (March 25).
