April Fools’ Day has taken place on April 1 since the 16th century. Originally called “poisson d’avril” or “April fish” in French, the origins of April Fools’ Day are in 1582 when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. In the Julian calendar, the new year was celebrated in the last week of March until April 1, and people who were slow to catch up to the Gregorian January new year were called “April Fools” and subjected to pranks. Historians have found other possible explanations, but this is the most likely.
In the 18th century, April Fools’ Day spread to surrounding countries and the pranking has continued into modern times. With the spread came an evolution of the pranks and jokes pulled.
Traditionally, people would have pranked family and friends, but in the age of social media, the biggest April Fools’ jokes are pulled by public figures and companies. They are able to fake out thousands of people through social media which has expanded individuals’ general sphere of influence.
I believe that April Fools’ Day is a fun introduction to spring. Pranks pulled on a personal scale are rarely harmful and usually in good fun. I also think that the larger scale that social media presents can be great too. I love it when companies and brands I love post a completely crazy product as a “new release,” or when celebrities pull a joke on their fans.
Why, you may ask, do I think it is fun to be duped? Well, that’s just because it is simply fun. When I see an outlandish post on Instagram from my favorite celebrity or brand touting the most fanatical products, I can sit back and laugh and wait for the next post to say “Happy April Fools’!” because humans are natural tricksters and they love to pull pranks. We love to laugh and be surprised, so, I think that it is great to have a day that is just for the purpose of joking around.
