The exact origins of April Fools’ Day—celebrated on April 1 each year—remain unknown but there are a few theories on how it started.
Theory 1: It started in 1582 when France switched from Julian calendarJulian calendar was proposed by Julius Caesar and it followed 3 normal years and 1 leap year as compared to 4 normal years and 1 leap year that the Gregorian calendar follows. to the Gregorian calendar.
In Julian calendar, 1st AprilThe new year began with the spring equinox which was around April 1 (not exact) (and not 1st January) was the new year day.
People who were slow to realise the switch to the Gregorian calendar and, therefore, the shift of the new year day to January 1 continued to celebrate during the last week of March through April 1.
These people became a target of jokes and ridicule and were called April fools.
Theory 2: The Roman tradition of Hilaria.
In ancient Rome (around 2800 years ago), a spring festival called Hilaria was held around March 25 to celebrate the first day of the year longer than the night.We call this the vernal equinox, which typically falls on March 20.
Festivities that ran for a few days included games & processions; people dressed up in disguises, mocking fellow citizens and even nobles — and so, April fools’ Day.
This theory also refers to the association of late March with lighthearted celebrations across cultures such as Hindus (Holi), Jews (Purim) & Persians (Sizdah Bedar).
Theory 3: Constantine (Roman emperor 3rd/4th century) & Kugel (a jester in his court).
A group of court jesters told Constantine that they could do a better job at running the empire and Constantine made Kugel the king for one day.
Kugel gave an official order calling for the celebration of foolery on that day and the custom became an annual event.
Theory 4: The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.
The Canterbury Tales is a collection of 24 stories that was written by Geoffrey Chaucer in 1392.
In one of the stories, Nun’s Priest Tale, an arrogant cock is tricked by a fox by mentioning something to the tune of March containing 32 days.
And since March 32 would be April 1, and the cock was fooled by it, some believe this playful reference led to the birth of April fools’ Day (others believe Chaucer chose April 1 because of the tradition of foolery already associated with the day).
