Where did April Fools' Day actually come from?
As March draws to a close and we somehow find ourselves already a quarter of the way through the year, we’re faced- yet again- with the annual day of elaborate pranks and devious tomfoolery that takes place at the beginning of the fourth month: April Fools’ Day.
Every year on April 1 people all over the world compete to play the worst (or best- depending on whether or not you’re on the receiving end) tricks on each other; be that something as simple as a whoopee cushion on a chair or as grand as a fake proposal.
Where did it come from?
There are various theories about where the day actually came from, but the most likely seems to trace all the way back to the late 16th century when Pope Gregory XIII decided it would be a good idea to adopt the Gregorian calendar (no prizes for guessing why). Where the year had previously started at the end of March, under the new calendar rules it was moved to January 1.
Even though the news was spread, some people clearly didn’t get the message in time and continued to celebrate the new year on April 1. Because of this, they were ridiculed and branded as ‘fools'; thus the tradition of April Fools’ Day began.
Get involved
With many companies getting in on the action - from a company name change hoax to a mixed veg cordial invention - it seems that the day is becoming more popular than ever.
Although this year it falls on a Saturday, meaning you and your colleagues can escape the usual office windups, there’s still bound to be plenty of celebrity, twitter and news pranks to keep us all entertained.
And if you’re planning to head out tomorrow, just keep your wits about you: London is probably in on the joke too.
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Where did April Fools' Day actually come from?ImagePublishedMedium width2Friday, March 31, 2017 - 12:46OnEnable video endboarddefaultFriday, March 31, 2017 - 12:00Greater LondonGBKey Points