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How did April Fools’ Day begin? Here’s the history behind its mysterious origins
Historians cite competing explanations, including a 1582 French calendar change and older spring festivals, while the tradition has spread worldwide and inspired corporate hoaxes.
- On April 1, people globally celebrate April Fools' Day by playing harmless pranks and jokes, a tradition with roots stretching back several centuries despite its mysterious origins.
- Historians debate the holiday's origin, linking it to France's 1582 calendar change, ancient Roman 'renewal festivals,' or medieval references in English poet Geoffrey Chaucer's 1390 'Nun's Priest's Tale.'
- The tradition gained popularity in Britain during the 18th century and later spread to America, where 20th-century mass media enabled corporations to leverage elaborate hoaxes for publicity.
- Beyond the April 1 tradition, Iran observes "the lie of the 13th" on the 13th day of the Persian New Year, while Spanish-speaking nations celebrate the December 28th "Day of the Holy Innocents."
- Folklorist Alan Dundes noted that over 100 years of scholarship has offered little clarity on the custom's specific emergence, leaving its true origins largely unknown.
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14 Articles
14 Articles
The Echo UK+10 Reposted by 10 other sources
Why do April Fools' Day jokes stop at 12pm? How the tradition started
What is April Fools' Day? It always lands on April 1 and this is why pranks stop at 12pm plus how the tradition started
·Basildon, United Kingdom
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The Commercial AppealReposted by 
USA Today
USA TodayWhy do people play pranks on April Fools' Day? A look a the day's history
·Memphis, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution83% Center
Bias Distribution
- 83% of the sources are Center
83% Center
L 17%
C 83%
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