What is April Fools' Day?

By Janice Henderson

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines April Fools’ Day as “April 1, characteristically marked by the playing of practical jokes.” It continues, “Though it has been observed for centuries in several countries, including France and Britain, its origin is unknown." That's a practical joke in itself!

There is no definitive answer on the origin of April Fools' Day, though many theories exist. Some historians speculate the informal holiday is tied to France’s transition from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar in 1582. 

Somewhere around March 25 was the Julian calendar New Year but that changed to January 1 with the dawn of the Gregorian calendar. Those who resisted the change or simply didn’t know about the new calendar continued celebrating the end of March New Year. “Change agents” or early adopters of the new calendar heckled and teased the slow adopters.

Another possible theory according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “The timing of the day also may be related to the vernal equinox (March 21), a time when people are said to be fooled by sudden changes in the weather.”

Perhaps the most notable April Fools’ Day prank in history is known as the “Swiss Spaghetti Harvest." It occurred in 1957, when the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired a fake film of Swiss farmers picking fresh-from-the-vine spaghetti from the ground. The BBC received endless calls from viewers asking where they could buy these spaghetti plants. It caused such a frenzy that the next day, the BBC released a statement that the film was a hoax.

Where can one find more April Fools’ inspired pranks? Well, Pinterest of course!

Pinterest, where I got my photo idea, has countless pins devoted to April Fools’ Day pranks, ranging from simple to elaborate. One prank, for chicken soup lovers is mapped out in three simple steps: (1) remove showerhead; (2) insert chicken bouillon; and (3) wait outside bathroom. That prank is sure to ruffle someone’s spring shower feathers!

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