The history of April Fools’ Day is shrouded in mystery, just like many other holidays. There are many different theories and hoaxes surrounding it, but most people do not pay attention to that. What people care more about is the pranks themselves, with pranks being big and small, and ones that can mildly inconvenience you to ruin someone’s day. 

Historians believe that April Fools’ Day started in 1582, when France switched to a different calendar layout, from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. On the new calendar, what was April 1st, was January 1st. People who were slow to the news or thought it was April, would get a paper fish attached to their back, calling them gullible.

Others believe it’s an old Roman festival, called Hilaria. It was celebrated by a cult at the end of March, for some reason. People would dress up in different types of costumes and straight-up mock the population. It was inspired by the Egyptian legend of Iris, Osiris, and Seth.

Whenever it was, it became a large event in the British Isles in the 18th century. With residents doing the same things people do now, like “kick me” signs, or fake notes and fake lists of errands. Those “pranks” are still done today, and a lot of people are always doing them too.

To most people though, April Fools’ is just a day to have a good laugh with their friends or get revenge on others. But to a very select few who care a little too much about the day, then it is all about something completely else.