Watch out—April Fools’ Day is just around the corner! Every time April 1st comes around, you should be extremely careful about who you decide to believe. When someone innocently tells you that they need you to do them a simple favor, be prepared—you might be the next victim of an embarrassing hoax. Although April Fools’ Day has been celebrated annually for many centuries, nobody can come up with a definite date and origin that began this strange holiday. Many have different speculations and folklores as to how this tradition developed. Here are two of the various possibilities that could very well be the true beginning of the custom of April Fools’ Day:
One possible origin can be traced back to the Greco-Roman festival called Hilaria. Celebrated on March 25th, one day after the vernal equinox, this celebration honored the Greek god Cybele who was known as the ‘Mother of the gods’. During this week-long celebration, many citizens would play tricks and jokes on their neighbors and relatives.- Another possibility dates back to the calendar switch in the 1500’s when many people changed from using the Julian calendar, which celebrated the New Year on April 1st, to the Gregorian calendar, which celebrated that holiday on January 1st. Many devious and joking individuals decided to attempt to trick their neighbors into thinking that April 1st was the beginning of the New Year. Then, after thoroughly convincing them, these jokesters would reveal their true intentions and share many laughs.
Another attribute of April Fools’ Day is that it is significant mainly in Europe and North America – not many other countries celebrate this odd holiday. For years and years, Americans and Europeans have been waiting for this day in order to perform the perfect pranks they have been planning all year. On April Fools’ Day, jokes and pranks are expected to be taken light-heartedly. In order to keep yourself safe from devious individuals, make sure you watch your back!
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